Shaun Crawford Injury: Updates on Notre Dame CB's Recovery from Torn ACL

Notre Dame freshman cornerback Shaun Crawford suffered a torn ACL during practice Wednesday, according to the South Bend Tribune's Eric Hansen. 

Continue for updates. 

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Crawford Lost for the Season

Wednesday, August 19

According to Scout.com's Pete Sampson, Crawford was vying for Notre Dame's starting nickel cornerback job and had rotated in with the first team during practice. 

The former 4-star recruit out of Ohio, according to 247Sports, had made a positive impression on coaches since arriving in South Bend, and his intensity appeared to put him in position to earn playing time as a true freshman.

"Shaun Crawford, that guy just continues to show up around the ball," offensive coordinator Mike Sanford said, per 247Sports' Nick Ironside. "It’s unbelievable. He shows up and he comes at the football with an unbelievable head of steam and sees it well." 

The announcement regarding Crawford's injury comes just days after Irish defensive tackle Jarron Jones was deemed out for the season with a torn MCL. Notre Dame will also be without running back Greg Bryant for the first four games of the upcoming season because of a suspension. 

However, Notre Dame has several options it can turn to as a way to overcome the loss of Crawford. 

"While the injury robs the Irish of a potential playmaker, the secondary is well-equipped from a depth perspective," NBC Sports' Keith Arnold wrote. "Grad student Matthias Farley is also a slot cornerback, the place where Crawford projected to help immediately. Starters Cole Luke and KeiVarae Russell will man the outside spots with sophomore Nick Watkins providing immediate depth as well."    

If there's any good news for Notre Dame, it's that Crawford won't lose his freshman year of eligibility since he suffered the injury prior to the start of the regular season, per Arnold.