Earlier this offseason, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish shared that team captain and star linebacker Drayk Bowen had undergone hip surgery, sparking concern among the fanbase about their beloved defensive leader.
Since then, Bowen has been rehabbing his hip and has been missing from the Irish's spring practice sessions.
Today, in a massive step in the right direction, ESPN's Heather Dinich reported that Bowen was back at practice and in pads.
Drayk Bowen returns to practice, status still limited
Dinich shared that while he was in pads for the first time this spring, Bowen's participation was still limited, simply doing high knees and other warm-up drills with the team. However, even the ESPN reporter had to say that it was a "notable" step in Bowen's progress.
Bowen led the Fighting Irish in tackles last season, earning 67 total tackles (33 solo), 3.5 sacks, and three pass deflections.
Last season, Bowen suffered a torn labrum, but played through the injury until he was able to undergo the reparative operation in January.
"It was pretty painful, but if I could manage it, they were going to let me play," Bowen said earlier this offseason. "I’m feeling great... It’s been a really good recovery; making sure I get however long I need."
Well, it seems like he is getting close to having had the time he needed to recover, already suiting up in pads just a few months after the operation.
Now, Bowen likely still has a long road ahead of him until he is fully game-ready, but this news is a massive cause for celebration in South Bend, and the Notre Dame faithful should be excited (and maybe relieved) that their star defensive player is on the right path.