Notre Dame Football News: LB Joe Schmidt Out For The Season

Can't get enough Notre Dame football news? Be sure to download our 5-star iPhone app today!

The Notre Dame Fighting Irish suffered a huge blow on defense during a 49-39 victory over the Navy Midshipmen on Saturday, losing linebacker Joe Schmidt for the year after he fractured and dislocated his ankle, per CSNChicago.com.

Schmidt suffered the injury during the third quarter, and will undergo season-ending surgery on Tuesday. He team-high 65 tackles (42 solo) will be sorely missed.

“I think everybody is going to have to pick up a little bit,” head coach Brian Kelly told ESPN.com, via NBC's College Football Talk. “Jaylon [Smith] is going to have to pick up. I think the defensive line is going to have to be more assertive in making sure they’re taking care of their end of things. I think our safeties. I think everybody is going to have to pick up the slack for the loss of a guy that really did most of the work."

On Sunday, Kelly announced that redshirt freshman Michael Deeb and true freshman Nyles Morgan will work together to replace Schmidt.

Follow our Notre Dame Fighting Irish team page for the latest Notre Dame football news!

Back to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish Newsfeed