Notre Dame Faces Major Defensive Injuries Ahead of Boston College Game

Notre Dame will be forced to field a significantly altered defensive unit this Saturday, Nov. 14, as several key starters remain sidelined.

According to a Monday afternoon availability report from WNDU, the Fighting Irish could be without five defensive starters for the second consecutive week.

The injury list carries heavy implications for the defensive secondary and the front seven. Linebacker Drayk Bowen, safety Brauntae Johnson, and cornerback DJ McKinney have all been officially ruled out for the upcoming home game against Boston College.

This latest wave of absences follows a week where the team managed an upset over No. 1 Miami despite similar personnel shortages. However, the depth of the current injury list suggests a growing challenge for the coaching staff as the season enters its critical final stretch.

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The impact on the defensive rotation is widespread, affecting multiple levels of the scheme. While three starters are confirmed out, two more essential defensive linemen remain in doubt, complicating the team’s ability to control the line of scrimmage.

Drayk Bowen is sidelined with a right ankle injury that occurred during the game against Navy just over a week ago. Brauntae Johnson has been unable to play since sustaining a left foot injury during the season opener against Wisconsin. Meanwhile, DJ McKinney will miss his third straight game due to a right ankle injury suffered during the loss to BYU.

Notre Dame Faces Major Defensive Injuries Ahead of Boston College Game

The availability of the defensive line remains the most pressing variable for Saturday’s matchup. The following table outlines the current status of the players listed in the most recent availability report:

Player	Position	Status	Injury Detail
Francis Brewu	Defensive Lineman	Questionable	Left knee
Jason Onye	Defensive Lineman	Questionable	Right knee
Drayk Bowen	Linebacker	Out	Right ankle
Brauntae Johnson	Safety	Out	Left foot
DJ McKinney	Cornerback	Out	Right ankle
Christopher Burgess Jr.	Defensive Lineman	Out	Left tibia
Tiki Hola	Defensive Lineman	Out	Right knee
Charles Jagusah	Offensive Lineman	Out	Left humerus
Chris Terek	Offensive Lineman	Out	Right knee

The loss of McKinney and Johnson, in particular, strips the secondary of veteran stability. When a defense loses multiple starters in the defensive backfield, the margin for error in coverage shrinks significantly, often forcing younger players into high-leverage situations they may not be prepared for.

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The defensive line is facing a similar crisis of continuity. Both Brewu and Onye were listed as questionable last week but did not see any action during the contest against Miami. Brewu is currently managing a left knee injury, while Onye is dealing with a right knee issue. Onye had only recently returned to the lineup after a multi-week absence following an injury sustained against Wisconsin.

If Brewu and Onye cannot play, the Irish will be forced to rely on a rotation that has already been thinned by the confirmed absences of Christopher Burgess Jr. and Tiki Hola. The cumulative effect of these injuries places an immense physical burden on the remaining healthy starters to maintain defensive intensity throughout four quarters.

The game against Boston College will take place this Saturday at Notre Dame’s home stadium. Fans and analysts will be watching closely to see how the depth players respond to the sudden necessity of stepping into starting roles against a conference opponent.