Rare good news on the injury front emerged Sunday when Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly revealed injured wide receiver Torii Hunter, Jr., will return to practice this week.
Hunter was injured in the Irish’s loss to Texas on an end zone hit to the head from Longhorns safety DeShon Elliott. The hit, which many thought was a clear targeting violation, was reviewed but not flagged. Rather than receiving an automatic first down near the Texas goal line, Notre Dame was forced to settle for a field goal -- which was blocked.
Brian Kelly says Torii Hunter Jr. will practice Tuesday. In the last step of concussion protocol, which is a full practice. #NotreDame
— JJ Stankevitz (@JJStankevitz) September 11, 2016
Hunter missed No. 18 Notre Dame’s defeat of Nevada on Saturday, but is expected to return to the Irish lineup for Saturday’s tilt with No. 12 Michigan State (7:30 p.m. ET, NBC).
A senior, Hunter hauled in 28 receptions for 363 yards and two touchdowns in 13 appearances a year ago. Hunter snatched four passes for 37 yards and a touchdown before leaving the Texas game.