Notre Dame Loses Two Defensive Starters to Left-Leg Injuries in 41-13 Win (Sept. 6)
No. 4 Notre Dame defeated Wisconsin 41-13 at Lambeau Field on Sept. 6, but safety Brauntae Johnson and defensive tackle Jason Onye both exited in the third quarter with lower left leg injuries. Coach Marcus Freeman ruled both out for the remainder of the game and said he would meet with medical staff Monday to assess their status for next Saturday's game against Rice.
No. 4 Notre Dame routed Wisconsin 41-13 on Sept. 6 at Lambeau Field but lost two defensive starters to lower left leg injuries in the third quarter. Safety Brauntae Johnson and defensive tackle Jason Onye both exited the game and appeared on the sideline wearing protective boots on their left feet, according to ESPN reporting. Johnson, a junior, recorded one tackle in the first half before the injury forced his exit. He finished last season second on the team with four interceptions and fourth with 48 tackles, starting eight games and appearing in 10. Onye, a sixth-year senior, also recorded one tackle in the first half. He started nine games in 2025 and posted 26 tackles, including 1.5 sacks. Coach Marcus Freeman ruled both players out in the third quarter. After the game, Freeman said he had no update on either player beyond being told they would not return, according to ESPN. Notre Dame next plays Saturday when it hosts Rice. Freeman's inability to provide a diagnosis or prognosis leaves their availability for next week's game uncertain.
Johnson, a junior who recorded four interceptions last season, and Onye, a sixth-year senior who started nine games in 2025, both appeared on the sideline wearing protective boots on their left feet, but Freeman provided no diagnosis or return timeline.
Freeman's Monday medical staff meeting will clarify whether Johnson and Onye face weeks sidelined or return for the Rice game. The speed of either player's return will test the depth of a defense positioned as central to Notre Dame's national championship hopes.
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