Notre Dame junior center Ashton Craig suffered a severe knee injury, the Irish confirmed Monday. He will miss the remainder of the 2024 season.

Craig started all three games this year, including the final three games of 2023. He played in every snap before exiting the game Saturday against Purdue with the injury, and tests, since the Irish returned to South Bend, confirmed Notre Dame’s worst fears.

At 7:04 in the second quarter, Craig swung around the left side as the lead puller. He appeared to run by his defender, Purdue linebacker Yanni Karlaftis, before pivoting and turning around to pick up another man. A split second later, cornerback Tarrion Grant collided with Craig’s left knee — causing it to bend awkwardly — as he attempted to make the tackle.

Craig did not need a cart to take him off the field. He walked off the field, mostly under his power, but still wrapped his arms around Notre Dame staff members flanking each side of him.

This was a scenario every offensive lineman fears: A body accidentally falling into their leg while they’re engaged with another defender. It’s an all-too-common way for blockers to suffer injuries, and Craig is the latest victim.

When Craig left Saturday’s 66-7 win over Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind., senior Pat Coogan played center in his place. Coogan, who started all 13 games at left guard in 2023, is now listed as the starting center on Notre Dame’s official depth chart.

Coogan, who lost that starting left guard job to sophomore Sam Pendleton in fall camp, played well after Craig went down. Senior guard Rocco Spindler — who also started most of the 2023 season but was beat out by Pendleton in August — did as well after sophomore right guard Billy Schrauth suffered an ankle injury against the Boilermakers. Schrauth is expected to return later this season.

After the game, Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman praised Coogan and Spindler for their effort and attitude.

“To start as many games as those two started, and to not be the starter and to be prepared and to be great teammates, I can’t speak any more highly of those two guys, man,” Freeman said. “They went in there, and they got the job done.”

“It’s a respect to the preparation. It’s a respect to their unselfishness, to their love for the team. Those two guys deserve a lot of credit for the way they prepare, the way they make the guys in front of them better, and in the way when they got their opportunity, went there and did their job.” 

Freeman did not provide a timeline for Craig’s return during his news conference.

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