Notre Dame Football: Cornerback Lo Wood Tears Achilles, Out for Season

NBC is reporting that projected staring cornerback Lo Wood has sustained a season-ending Achilles tendon rupture. Wood will undergo surgery to repair the torn tendon later this week, with a recovery time of eight to 12 months.

The junior saw consistent action a season ago, tallying only six tackles and an interception return for a touchdown against Maryland.

Wood was seen as one of the surprises of fall camp, seemingly securing a spot as a starter opposite Bennett Jackson. Without Wood, the depth of the Irish cornerbacks becomes just a little terrifying.

Sophomores Josh Atkinson and Jalen Brown are the only other two players on the Notre Dame roster actually recruited to play cornerback, and neither have seen meaningful action.

Beyond that there are a pair of corners that were recruited as running backs in sophomore Cam McDaniel and freshman KeiVarae Russell.

Senior Will Salvi and junior Joe Romano are listed but will contribute on special teams, if at all.

Despite the injury to potential nickle-package starter Austin Collinsworth's shoulder injury that will keep him out roughly half the season, there is more depth at safety.

Freshman Elijah Shumate worked out at corner following Collinsworth's injury in spring and fall, but was held at safety due to his strong run-stopping abilities.

With 15 listed at the safety position, it is more than likely that a few will filter into the cornerback ranks to help with depth and, if nothing else, practice rotations.

Notre Dame also lost a pair of highly touted corner recruits prior to spring football, as Maryland recruit Ronald Darby defected to Florida State just before signing day, and Fresno, CA native Tee Shepard left the program just before spring practice began shortly after enrolling early.