Notre Dame football opens fall camp on Thursday, and head coach Marcus Freeman addressed the media Tuesday with key injury updates for the Fighting Irish heading into the 2026 college football season.

Several players will be unavailable as Notre Dame begins preparations, though the program’s depth should help absorb the losses across the defensive tackle and offensive line rooms.

Freeman’s availability report confirmed what had been trickling out over the past several days. While none of the news was overly shocking, the official confirmation sets the table for what to expect over the next couple of weeks.

DT Christopher Burgess

Redshirt freshman defensive tackle Christopher Burgess will miss fall camp while recovering from a left tibia stress fracture that was repaired in June. The news had been reported last week and had been known through back channels for several weeks. It is an unfortunate setback for Burgess, who was having a good overall offseason and fighting to crack the defensive tackle rotation. There is an expectation that he could make a mid-season return, but a complete timeline has not been established.

DT Tiki Hola

Freshman defensive tackle Tiki Hola will also miss fall camp with a right ACL injury. Hola was not expected to crack the lineup as a true freshman, so the loss is not devastating given the depth of the room. Notre Dame is expected to run a strong five-man rotation at defensive tackle that includes Jason Onye, Francis Brewu, Tionne Gray, Armel Mukam, and Elijah Hughes.

OG Charles Jagusah

As previously discussed, redshirt junior offensive lineman Charles Jagusah will be out to begin the 2026 season due to continued issues with a left humerus injury that has now required multiple surgeries and led to complications with nerve damage. Freeman has stated there is not a firm timetable on Jagusah’s return, but the head coach does have the expectation that he will play for Notre Dame again in the future. If healthy, Jagusah would have been in great contention to be the starting right guard, but his long-term future remains very much in doubt.

OG Peter Jones

Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Peter Jones is dealing with a right shoulder and pec strain. The injury has unfortunately been part of a consistent pattern for Jones since enrolling at Notre Dame, where he has had to deal with a series of smaller injuries throughout his time with the program.

LB Ko’o Kia

Redshirt freshman linebacker Ko’o Kia will be out while recovering from left shoulder labrum surgery. Kia had a good offseason and was active during the spring. His best opportunity to play this fall was likely more on special teams than in a defensive role, but he still carries a lot of upside and has fans on the Notre Dame staff.

Freeman’s full media session covered more than just the injury front, touching on expectations for fall camp and setting the floor for the weeks ahead. With camp officially opening Thursday, the Fighting Irish will begin building toward what they hope is another strong season under Freeman.

The depth Notre Dame has built, particularly along the defensive interior, should help soften the blow of these absences as the program works toward full health.