Notre Dame vs Ohio State Injury Report & News for CFP National Championship Game

By Darren Cooper in College Football
Published:

- Ohio State remains an 8.5-point favorite over Notre Dame in the college football championship game Monday night
- Notre Dame wide receiver Beaux Collins, the team’s second-leading receiver, is expected to play
- We got your full look at the injury reports for both teams below, plus how it could impact the betting line
Notre Dame and Ohio State collide for the national title tonight in Atlanta, and both teams enter the contest reasonably healthy. The kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m., and ESPN will carry the broadcast.
Remember, though, college football coaches aren’t bound by the same rules as in other sports and injury reports are unofficial at best.
Notre Dame got good news early Monday with reports that wide receiver Beaux Collins was a go. Collins was the Fighting Irish’s second-leading receiver this season. Ohio State standout safety Denzel Burke is also expected to play after getting dinged up in the semifinal win over
Here’s a deeper look at the injury concerns on both teams coming into Monday night.
Notre Dame Injury Report
Player | Position | Injury | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Beaux Collins | WR | Calf | Probable |
Rocco Spindler | OL | Undisclosed (ankle) | Questionable |
Anthony Knapp | OL | Ankle | Out |
Cooper Flanagan | TE | Foot | Out |
Rylie Mills | DL | Knee | Out |
There are two big names on this list for Notre Dame. Star defensive lineman Rylie Mills was leading the Irish in sacks and TFLs when he got hurt in the first round against Indiana. He’s still out. Notre Dame has depth on the defensive line, though and turned to standout Howard Cross III to fill in the gap.
Notre Dame defensive tackle Rylie Mills gives us an all-access look at his days leading up to the first-ever on-campus College Football Playoff game 🏈 pic.twitter.com/XrsZnAkNvf
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) December 20, 2024
The biggest concern has to be Notre Dame’s offensive line troubles. Knapp suffered a high ankle sprain in the win over Penn State and was replaced by Charles Jagusah. Spindler also tweaked his ankle and came out. Knapp is a no go, but Spindler is going to make it work. Jagusah, a redshirt freshman will make his first start of the season at left tackle. Jagusah was supposed to be Notre Dame’s starter coming into the season, but tore his pectoral muscle.
Ohio State Injury Report
Player | Position | Injury | Status |
---|---|---|---|
Mason Maggs | QB | Unknown | Questionable |
Inky Jones | DB | Undisclosed | Questionable |
Denzel Burke | S | Arm | Probable |
There’s not whole lot here, at least not publicly. Jones is a back-up defensive back who has seen little time, and Maggs is way down on the Ohio State depth chart at QB.
Ohio State Football Cotton Bowl Highlights #GoBucks | @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/XYSjKds4gy
— Buckeye Brow🌰 (@BuckeyeBrow) January 12, 2025
Burke is the only one to keep an eye on. He fell awkwardly on his arm in the game against Texas, twice, and Buckeyes coach Ryan Day called it an ‘upper extremity’ injury this week leading into the game. We didn’t know Day coached ice hockey. The truth is it’s probably a shoulder injury, a sprain or a stinger, but Burke is fully expected to play.
How Could Injuries Affect Notre Dame vs Ohio State Line?
Ohio State has been the favorite ever since the final match-up was set. But let’s talk about how the injuries could impact the game. Notre Dame will be starting a talented, but raw left tackle, not the best spot in the world to make a debut.
Notre Dame’s running game has ebbed each of the last three weeks. They ran for 193 against Indiana, 154 against Georgia and just 117 against Penn State. QB Riley Leonard has been sacked 18 times this season, six in the last three games.
Could it just be better competition for Notre Dame in the CFP playoff? Sure. But look for Ohio State to test the remixed Notre Dame offensive line early in this one. If the offensive line breaks, Ohio State will have a field day and will easily cover the spread.
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Darren has been covering sports since 1998 and the sports betting industry since PASPA made it official. His goal is to make the activity fun and exciting with insights and perspective. Enjoy.