In name, No. 16 Notre Dame dodged a season-ending injury to senior right guard Tommy Kraemer, but in practice, an MCL sprain may cost Kraemer the rest of the regular season. Irish head coach Brian Kelly put Kraemer’s timeline at 4-to-6 weeks on Monday, meaning he would possibly be able to return for the last game of the regular season, but unlikely any earlier.
Without Kraemer, Notre Dame (5-2) will turn to fifth-year Trevor Ruhland and/or junior Josh Lugg. The former was the first off the bench Saturday at Michigan, while the latter has greater long-term potential.
Either way, the reserve offensive linemen will still be blocking for senior running back Tony Jones, despite a cartilage injury to his ribs.