Notre Dame’s Tommy Kraemer Out for UNC Following Appendectomy
When Notre Dame takes on North Carolina on Friday, the Irish will be without two of its five starting offensive linemen who have started every game together this year. The Irish lost Jarrett Patterson for the season with a foot injury and now will also be without starting right guard Tommy Kraemer following an appendectomy on Friday, according to Irish Illustrated.
How long Notre Dame will be without Kraemer, who is in his 4th season as a starter for the Irish, is unknown, though there is optimism that he will be back sooner rather than later.
Kraemer has been a mainstay in the Notre Dame offensive line for nearly four years – he’s started 37 games for the Irish throughout his career. He missed the final six games of t 2019 season after suffering a knee injury in the loss to Michigan.
With both Kraemer and Patterson out on Friday, Notre Dame’s decision on who to start at center actually becomes more straightforward. Sophomore Zeke Correll now seems likely to start with Josh Lugg likely filling for Kramer at right guard though Dillan Gibbons could also start at guard if Lugg were to start at center in place of Correll.
The good news for Notre Dame is that North Carolina does not have an elite defense. They don’t even have a mediocre defense, so the offensive line losses will hopefully be manageable as the Irish look to improve to 9-0 on the season. North Carolina has given up over 40 points a game over their last three contests.
Notre Dame’s depth will be tested on Friday, even against a weak Tar Heel defense. The Irish offensive line has been considered the best line in the country by many. Now they will have to replace 40% of it this week. The good news is that the Irish shouldn’t have to replace Kraemer long term, and it sounds like he should be back well in time for a potential ACC Championship game on December 19.
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
ND depth at LB and DT and WR have carried the day. It’s time to watch the OL depth step up.
I’ve been waiting for Zeke at C since they signed him out of high school if he gets the start.
MTA. Kellys deepest and fastest team by far you and Durankob and I called this unit by unit. Same for UHND writers. In 88 to O linemen were out just before Miami ! Two guys without single start started no drop off . Infact we ran right behind them in the critical first quarter .
BGC 77 82