When the sun rose on Monday morning, there was hope among Notre Dame football faithful that all of the Irish’s top injured stars would be able to play against the Georgia Bulldogs next week. However, during his press conference, head coach Marcus Freeman confirmed that one of the team’s defensive stars is out.
In fact, Rylie Mills is out for the rest of the season. Even if the Irish manage to get themselves to the College Football Playoffs Finals.
Freeman said that Mills is out for the season with a knee injury he suffered against Indiana.
Notre Dame football will be out Rylie Mills for the playoffs
After Mills left the Indiana game, there was some optimism after the fact that he might be able to return. That was bolstered by people seeing Mill walking about the sidelines, even if he had a noticeable limp has he did so. The defender also told several teammates he was “fine.”
However, that optimism was misplaced.
While the Irish haven’t said exactly what happened to his knee, it’s clear that the damage was more severe than even Mills realized in the moment. Freeman had to break the bad news while also admitting that it was a hell of a way for one of the team’s captain’s seasons to come to an end.
There was always a need to get an official word from the Notre Dame football program. Now we have it. Unfortunately, Rylie Mills college football career is officially over. It’s heartbreaking he won’t be able to play however long the Irish are in the playoffs, but he’s had a fantastic run in South Bend.