Notre Dame Football: Top Storylines vs USC
Jafar Armstrong Back?
It’s no secret that this Notre Dame offense has yet to be at full firepower this season. After starting the year without star tight end Cole Kmet and deep threat receiver Michael Young, starting running back Jafar Armstrong suffered a groin injury in the first quarter of the Louisville game.
The subsequent reliance on Tony Jones Jr. and the rest of the running back committee has been serviceable, but not ideal. Jones is leading the way with 381 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns, but after him no other back has more than 60 rushing yards and 75 yards from scrimmage.
With Armstrong sidelined, the Irish have missed the dynamic playmaker out of the backfield who can make guys miss and catch passes. It is an element of the offense that has been sorely missing.
But, after the last month spent rehabbing, it looks like Armstrong is set to return to the backfield this weekend, officially being listed second on the depth chart behind Jones Jr. this week.
On how much running back Jafar Armstrong will contribute this weekend coming off of an abdominal injury:
— BlueandGold.com (@BGInews) October 7, 2019
"There's going to be a process of coming back, especially at the running back position."
"If we could get 20 plays out of him, that would be terrific."
His reps will be limited, obviously, but it’s encouraging to have a talent like Armstrong back on the field to go along with Kmet, Claypool, and the rest of the offensive weapons. Offensive Coordinator Chip Long finally has all of his weapons at his disposal, and that’s encouraging if you’re a Notre Dame fan.
The offense has yet to play at it’s full potential, and the ceiling only grows for them with the return of Armstrong. Even if it’s just for 15-20 plays, he can be the difference-maker Saturday.