Injury update: Notre Dame football rules out Thomas Harper, Gabriel Rubio vs. Louisville
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Thomas Harper, a key member of Notre Dame football’s secondary since transferring from Oklahoma State, was ruled out for Saturday night’s game at 25th-ranked Louisville.
Harper had missed time near the end of last week’s 21-14 win at Duke after struggling in pass coverage. No reason was given for Harper’s downgraded game status, but the fifth-year player and starting nickel safety had played 226 defensive snaps through the first half of the season.
That ranked fourth among Irish defensive backs and 11th overall on a defense that entered tied for 14th with Georgia in average points allowed (13.0). Harper’s 25 tackles ranked sixth on the defense.
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Senior cornerback Clarence Lewis figured to see more time in the slot with Harper out. Lewis had a potential game-sealing interception last year against then-California quarterback Jack Plummer, but the fourth-quarter takeaway was wiped out by a targeting call on linebacker JD Bertrand.
Plummer, who transferred to Louisville in the offseason, is set to face Notre Dame for the third straight year and with a third straight program. He also started for Purdue in 2021.
Defensive tackle Gabriel Rubio, who missed three games following arthroscopic knee surgery, also was ruled out for Saturday’s game. Rubio averaged 14 defensive snaps the past two weeks since returning.
Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman announced on Thursday the season debut of tight end Eli Raridon and the return of wide receivers Jayden Thomas and Jaden Greathouse, both of whom missed last week’s game at Duke with hamstring injuries.
In addition, redshirt freshman linebacker Nolan Ziegler made the travel roster for the first time this season after dealing with a mental health issue that sidelined him during fall training camp.
Follow Notre Dame football writer Mike Berardino on social media @MikeBerardino.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame football missing Thomas Harper, Gabriel Rubio on defense
