Notre Dame DT Jones, TE Smythe expected to return for Fiesta Bowl
After learning of his team’s Fiesta Bowl matchup against Ohio State, Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly revealed some positive news on the injury front.
According to CSN Chicago, Kelly said that defensive tackle Jarron Jones and tight end Durham Smythe – both of whom were thought to be lost for the season – have been cleared to practice.
Jones, a redshirt junior, suffered a serious knee injury during preseason practice and hasn’t played this season. Smythe, a redshirt sophomore, was the team’s starting tight end when the season began, but had knee and shoulder surgeries after the Irish’s Week 2 win over Virginia.
Both are now expected to play in the New Year’s Day bowl game against the Buckeyes.
“It’ll just be a matter of increasing (Jones’) volume as we work through our bowl preparation,” Kelly said per CSN. “The good thing about the bowl preparation is it’s not like two-a-days. There are breaks in there, and I think we can increase his volume where he can be playing for us and contributing.
“Durham Smythe is in a very, very good position. He’s got full strength. We expect him to be a solid contributor for us, and he is cleared to practice immediately.”
Jones started the first 11 games of the 2014 season for the Irish, registering 40 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. He missed the end of that season and all of spring practice due to a foot injury. He also played in 12 games as a redshirt freshman in 2013 and had 20 tackles and a sack.
Smythe played in all 13 games as a backup in 2014 and had one catch for seven yards. In two games this year, Smythe had two catches for 13 yards, including a touchdown on a fake field goal against Virginia.
Additionally, Kelly said that senior running back C.J. Prosise (ankle), junior linebacker James Onwualu (knee) and junior cornerback Devin Butler (concussion) are all expected to return for the Fiesta Bowl.
Prosise, a senior, has 1,032 yards and 11 touchdowns in 10 games this season. Onwualu, a junior, has 36 tackles, five tackles for loss and two sacks in 10 games, including eight starts, while Butler has 11 tackles.
Senior cornerback KeiVarae Russell, who suffered a leg fracture against Boston College on Nov. 21, is unlikely to play, Kelly said. Russell started the first 11 games of the season and leads the team with two interceptions. He is also fourth on the team with 60 tackles.
For more Notre Dame news, visit BlueAndGold.com.
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Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
