SOUTH ELBOW — Notre Dame Football punt returner Max Hurleman and special teams ace Loghan Thomas were quick healers after all.
Both were declared available for the Senior Day meeting with Unclassified Virginia (5-4) Saturday.
Hurleman, the graduate transfer from Colgate, and Thomas, the freshman from Ohio, were listed as questionable with hamstring strains on Monday’s injury report.
Notre Dame, No. 8 in this week’s College Football Playoff rankings, will face the Cavaliers without sixth-year running back Devyn Ford (right groin) and All-America nose tackle Howard Cross III (left ankle).
Ford, a Stafford, Virginia product who transferred from Penn State in the summer of 2023, ranks sixth in total special teams snaps (97) for Notre Dame. Hurleman (130) and Thomas (110) rank first and third, respectively, for the nation’s No. 2 special teams unit, according to Pro Football Focus’ efficiency ratings.
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Nose tackle Howard Cross III’s streak of consecutive starts for Notre Dame football will end at 22, thanks to the left ankle injury he suffered in the win over Florida State.
Cross, who played in 60 games during his six-year college career, was ruled out for the week Monday, but there are hopes he can return Nov. 23 against undefeated Army at Yankee Stadium.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
This article was originally published on South Bend Tribune: Injury update: Notre Dame football without two key players vs. Virginia
