Notre Dame football: Jarrett Patterson missing OSU game would be a nightmare
By Brad Weiss
The Notre Dame football team already has a tough task ahead of them against Ohio State, but to do so without Jarrett Patterson would be a nightmare.
The Notre Dame football team is just trying to end fall practices in one piece, as they continue to suffer devastating injuries on the offensive side of the ball. Last Friday, Avery Davis tore his ACL, ending a season that could have seen him become a legitimate NFL prospect as the team’s WR1.
With Davis gone, the Irish will likely turn to true sophomore Lorenzo Styles Jr. to step in, and only two years removed from high school, that is a tough task in itself. To make matters worse, the Irish have seen injuries to the running back room as well, and now, a potentially devastating loss to the offensive line.
On Thursday, it was reported that star offensive lineman Jarrett Patterson suffered a foot sprain, and is officially listed as ‘questionable’ for the matchup against Ohio State. For those who do not know, the game between the Irish and the Buckeyes is a top-5 matchup, as Notre Dame football is ranked No. 5 in the first AP Poll of the season, and Ohio State at No. 2.
During his four-year career, Patterson has been one of the best interior linemen in all of college football and is currently a potential 2023 first-round NFL Draft pick. He is also the heart and soul of this Notre Dame offensive line, so losing him could prove to be too much to overcome, especially with a quarterback making his first start in Tyler Buchner.
Notre Dame football must avoid any more injuries
The hope is that Patterson will return in time for the Ohio State game, as the Irish are going to need a group effort if they are to beat a team many believe will go to the College Football Playoff this season. Ohio State is a juggernaut on offense, as has legitimate NFL prospects on defense, so getting protection for Buchner will prove paramount if the Irish are going to stay with them for four quarters.
In a perfect world, Patterson returns and the Irish are at full strength along the offensive line against a tough Ohio State defensive line. However, he is also going to be missing some crucial practices leading up to the game, so this is certainly not the news anybody wanted at this point in fall practices.