Notre Dame Loses Roberson and McDonald, but Adds 2 Walk-Ons

Notre Dame's running back Cameron Roberson has two torn knee ligaments suffered in practice and will miss the rest of spring drills after surgery.

He tore the lateral collateral ligament and partially tore the ACL in his left knee last Saturday. 

The question whether he is out for the rest of the season or not is still up in the air. 

Roberson, a sophomore from Newbury Park, Calif., was red-shirted last season as a freshman and won scout team player of the year for the Irish. He was listed as the third string running back and was supposed to provide depth to Cierre Wood and Jonas Gray.

At first glance, this doesn't seem like a big blow, but after Roberson there are no scholarship running backs left on Notre Dame's roster; however, the Irish do have a freshmen tailback scheduled to arrive this summer in Cam McDaniel.    

Linebacker Anthony McDonald has a partially torn pectoral muscle, but should be ready for the start of August preseason camp, Notre Dame officials said Wednesday; his injury will also require surgery.

McDonald, a senior from Burbank, Calif., is expected to compete for playing time and he had been starting at inside linebacker with Manti Te'o limited this spring. McDonald was on his way to being a starter at inside linebacker a year ago before hurting his knee in preseason practice.

The job eventually fell into the lap of Carlo Calabrese.

Because of these injuries Brian Kelly had walk-on tryouts on Monday to find some more depth. The Irish added two freshman walk-ons: running back Tyler Platz of New Lennox, Ill., and wide receiver Ryan Liebscher of Colorado Springs, Colo.

There is little information on them at this time.