Notre Dame Gets More Positive News on Shaun Crawford Injury
When Shaun Crawford landed on the turf against a few weeks ago against Virginia, it looked terrible. Arms aren’t supposed to bend the way Shaun Crawford’s did that afternoon. The following day, however, Brian Kelly, surprised us all when he said that the 5th year senior corner would only be out about a month. Thursday night Kelly reaffirmed the timetable for Crawford’s return on his radio show, telling listeners that Crawford is expected back in two weeks for the Michigan game.
When Crawford hit the ground against the Cavaliers, we all feared the worst – another season-ending injury for the diminutive corner. Crawford tore his ACL in training camp in 2015, ruptured his Achillies at the beginning of the 2016 season, and then tore another ACL on the eve of the 2018 season. Three significant injuries, three comebacks. A fourth almost certainly would have ended his collegiate career since it’s been reported he likely won’t pursue a medical 6th year.
Luckily for Notre Dame and Crawford, the injury was just a dislocated elbow, and he will be back in the lineup in two weeks when the Irish take on the Wolverines in the Big House. For a kid who has suffered through more significant injuries than any other Notre Dame player I can remember, it’s great to see him being able to return from this latest injury so soon.
Before the injury, Crawford was back to his usual ball-hawking self. He recorded an interception against New Mexico in the home opener and nearly got his hands on a second. Whenever he has been on the field, he has been near the ball.
With Crawford out, Notre Dame has been using junior ROVER Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah in the dime package. He did fine against Bowling Green, but this weekend’s showdown with USC is a whole other beast. TaRiq Bracy has been starting at the field corner spot opposite Troy Pride and has more than handled his own. The dime package, however, is one that has been tested the most with Crawford hurt. Expect USC to test it even more, this weekend.
Getting Crawford back in time for Michigan was the best-case scenario for Notre Dame, so the news from Kelly that Crawford is on schedule to return on time is a boost for Notre Dame down the stretch. In a perfect world, the Irish would have Crawford this weekend against USC’s athletic receivers, but we knew that wasn’t a possibility when Kelly announced Crawford’s elbow injury originally.
Look for Notre Dame to cobble together a dime package this weekend that might just include Houston Griffith, who recently moved back to safety if JOK struggles in coverage against the speedy USC receivers.
Frank Vitovitch has been Co-Owner and Editor in Chief of UHND.com since joining forces with Kyle Flavin in 1999. Since that time, he has written over 2,000 articles covering Notre Dame football, recruiting, and basketball. He also works with all staff and external writers on all articles published on UHND.com. Frank's love for Notre Dame football started at a young age watching Rocket Ismail give opposing coaches ulcers in the late 1980's. By day Frank works in marketing and holds a degree in Digital Media from Drexel University. Frank's work has been cited by online/print editions of NBC Sports, ESPN, and Sports Illustrated and has been quoted on air by ESPN's Collin Cowherd. He's conducted interviews with Notre Dame legends Rocket Ismail, Randy Kinder, Lee Becton, Reggie Brooks, Michael Stonebreaker, and Ned Bolcar among others over his 20+ years of covering Notre Dame football. He's also been published in the print edition of USA Today Sports Weekly and the USA Today College Football Preview multiple times. Other Published Works/Citations for Frank Three Reasons Notre Dame Will Beat Alabama - USA Today Notre Dame Suspends WR Kevin Stepherson, RB C.J. Holmes Indefinitely - Bleacher Report Notre Dame / Ohio State Fiesta Bowl Preview - Eleven Warriors Brace Yourself: The Fighting Irish are Relevant Again - Sports on Earth Interviews with the Enemy: A Q&A with Frank Vitovitch of UHND - Yahoo! Sports Five Good Minutes: Notre Dame Football Preview With UHND.com - BC Interruption Vicious Electronic Questioning with UHND - MGO Blog
Thanks Frank, for this article.
#20 on the defense has been through so much in his athletic career at Notre Dame.
It must have been difficult at times.
The highest compliment that can be paid is not that he is a ball hawk, but that he is resilient.
His play at the goal line Q2 at MSU in 2017 is an example of his resilience on the field – he never gave up on a play that seemed to be a sure touchdown. It resulted in a touchback with ND getting the ball at the 20-yard line.
It appears from his Sept 10 post-practice interview, which was pre-elbow injury, that he is also resilient off the field.
Shaun Crawford – Notre Dame Man.
– Dave Sauve