STORY UPDATED: Notre Dame has lost another starter. Tight end Durham Smythe is reportedly done for the season. Pete Sampson of Irish Illustrated broke the news Monday evening. Brian Kelly will likely confirm it on Tuesday during his weekly press conference.
It’s another hard-luck injury for the Irish, who are already without starting running back Tarean Folston and quarterback Malik Zaire. And Sampson reports that multiple injuries are plaguing Smythe, who reportedly injured his shoulder against Texas and then suffered an ankle injury against Virginia. Both will reportedly need surgery.
The tight end position has plenty of depth, though all of it (Smythe included) is unproven. Expect freshman Alizé Jones to be the beneficiary, likely deployed as a pass catcher while Tyler Luatua and Chase Hounshell could get the attached reps as a blocker. Nic Weishar, who had a strong camp, is also in the mix.
Smythe did not play his freshman season, saving a year of eligibility. He caught one pass last season as the primary backup to Ben Koyack. Before he was injured, he scored a touchdown on the fake field goal, his first scoring reception. He’ll have two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Tuesday AM update: Notre Dame released the following statement confirming Smythe’s season-ending surgeries, both a shoulder injury and MCL tear.
.@NDFootball JR TE Durham Smythe will miss the rest of 2015. He underwent successful knee & shoulder surgery this AM. pic.twitter.com/J7y7zrNOkC
— Michael Bertsch (@SteelersPRMike) September 15, 2015