Notre Dame Football: Top Storylines vs Virginia

New Offensive Weapons

Chip Long and the offense have yet to play a game with their full arsenal of offensive weapons. Entering the season without Cole Kmet and Michael Young, the injury-woes only grew after running back Jafar Armstrong suffered a groin injury vs. Louisville.

Although Kmet returned for the Georgia game, the Irish were still without Young and Armstrong, as well as running back Jahmir Smith and receiver Braden Lenzy.

Finally, five weeks into the season, it appears Long, and more importantly Ian Book, will have most of their playmakers back.

Armstrong is still expected to be out a few more weeks, but all signs point to having Young, Smith, and Lenzy back — which is a huge upgrade for the offense that already saw the benefit of Kmet in the lineup.

Young is officially listed on this week’s depth chart as Chris Finke’s backup. Finke, who has just 81 receiving yards in three games (54 of them coming on a short sweep pass vs. New Mexico), has not had the production thus far expected from a fifth year senior that had almost 600 yards a season ago.

Young’s speed is what makes him such a special addition to the offense, and being able to stretch the field will open up the offense for guys like Kmet and Claypool.

Jahmir Smith hasn’t played since the season opener, where he rushed for 24 yards and had two touchdowns. He will be given plenty of touches to lighten the load of Tony Jones Jr., who leads the team with 148 rushing yards.

Even if just Michael Young is fully healthy and returns this week, it should provide a speed boost to the offense that has no-doubt been missing this year.

This offense should be locked and loaded with weapons Saturday, and that will be a huge storyline to follow throughout the game.