Notre Dame defense faces injury concerns ahead of top-five showdown with Miami

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame enters Saturday’s top-five showdown against Miami leading the nation in total defense, but the Irish will be without their defensive captain and could be missing two key players along the defensive line.

Miami brings the nation’s top-ranked scoring offense to South Bend, averaging nearly 48 points and 535 yards per game. However, the Hurricanes are reportedly expected to be without star wide receiver Malachi Toney, who suffered a high ankle sprain during Wednesday’s practice.

Toney has recorded more than 1,000 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns this season, accounting for nearly half of Miami’s passing touchdowns.

But Notre Dame is dealing with significant injuries of its own.

Linebacker Drayk Bowen, who leads the Irish with 45 tackles, is sidelined with an ankle injury. Jaiden Ausberry and returning linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa are expected to help handle defensive communication duties in his absence.

“We know that everybody in the room has to step up,” Ausberry said. “We have to be loud, be communicative, especially with Drayk being out.”

The secondary is also dealing with injuries. Cornerback DJ McKinney remains out, while All-American Leonard Moore has been removed from the injury report after missing the Navy game.

“Nobody across the country is 100% at this point,” Moore said. “Come game day, I’m gonna be as close to 100% as I can be.”

Notre Dame’s defensive line will also face a major test against quarterback Darian Mensah and Miami’s offense. The Irish have recorded just 15 sacks through eight games, while Miami’s offensive line has allowed only 10.

However, defensive line coach Charlie Partridge remains confident in his group.

“We have challenges all over the place,” Partridge said. “We need to be at our best from an execution standpoint and a technique standpoint.”

If Notre Dame struggles to generate pressure with its front four, defensive coordinator Chris Ash may be forced to bring additional rushers, putting more responsibility on an already banged-up secondary.