PITTSBURGH — Notre Dame once again found itself holding its breath over an injured player Saturday afternoon, but the early prognosis on running back C.J. Prosise’s injury sounds encouraging.
Prosise left Notre Dame’s 42-30 win over Pitt in the first half with what coach Brian Kelly deemed an injury to his head, shoulder and/or neck. The redshirt junior underwent Notre Dame’s concussion protocol, but Kelly didn’t say whether or not he suffered a concussion. Kelly said he expects to have some more clarity about Promise’s status within the next 24 hours.
“He’s doing pretty good right now but we’ll evaluate him and he’ll be a day-to-day situation,” Kelly said.
Notre Dame, though, could be cautious with Prosise with 3-6 Wake Forest coming to South Bend next week. The Demon Deacons, who were off Saturday, are allowing a pedestrian 4.22 yards per carry (66th among FBS teams before this weekend’s games).
[ND CENTRAL: No. 5 Notre Dame throttles Pitt, but loses RB CJ Prosise]
Prosise has 947 yards and 11 touchdowns on 143 carries and entered the weekend tied for fifth among FBS players with 34 rushes of 10 or more yards.
With Prosise out, freshman Josh Adams stepped in and scythed his way to 147 yards on 20 carries, both career highs, and had a five-yard touchdown reception on a fly sweep in the fourth quarter. The Warrington, Pa. native carried 34 times for 265 yards in seven games before coming off the bench at Heinz Field.
Fellow freshman Dexter Williams also saw some action, carrying three times for six yards, though his whiff in pass protection led to a sack-strip of freshman quarterback Brandon Wimbush that was returned for a fourth quarter touchdown. If Prosise does have to miss a game or two due to his injury, Notre Dame will rely on a pair of true freshmen running backs to carry it to Stanford with a 10-1 record and potential shot at reaching the College Football Playoff.
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“Dexter’s going to have get up to study real quick,” Kelly said. “He missed an assignment on that fumble for a touchdown, but he’s a really talented runner. We’ve gotta get him more reps and quicker.
“But we’ll see what happens with C.J., but I don’t expect him to be gone too long. “