FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Notre Dame football appears to be without star cornerback Leonard Moore for a second straight game, based on his limited activity in pregame warmups at Reynolds Razorback Stadium.
Officially, Moore is a “game-time decision” against unranked Arkansas with a sprained right ankle, suffered in the second quarter on Sept. 13 against Texas A&M. Moore finished out that game, missing just three plays, but adrenaline surely played a role.
Moore, a preseason All-American, had made 12 consecutive starts before sitting out last week’s home game against Purdue.
Irish coach Marcus Freeman told ESPN’s “College GameDay” that Moore was “getting closer,” but reportedly added he wasn’t “overly optimistic” about his star corner returning this week.
Freshman Mark Zackery IV, the reigning IndyStar Mr. Football, replaced Moore last week. Fellow freshman Dallas Golden, who went the distance in the slot, could bounce outside as well.
Notre Dame’s pregame injury update said all other players on the two-deep roster are available. That would appear to be a green light for placekicker Noah Burnette (hip) and nickelback DeVonta Smith, both of whom missed last week’s game.
Smith, the grad transfer from Alabama, also sat out the A&M loss with a right ankle injury suffered in warmups.
In Thursday’s injury report, Notre Dame ruled out third-year special teams ace Preston Zinter due to a concussion. Through three games, the 6-foot-2, 240-pound converted linebacker led the team in special teams plays (76) and overall grade (74.4), according to Pro Football Focus.
When Tyler Buchner bobbled the final point-after snap for the Irish in the 41-40 loss to Texas A&M, it was Zinter who broke free in the end zone for a two-point conversion pass that was off target.
Zinter, a product of North Andover, Mass., had seen time on four special-teams units: kickoff return, kickoff coverage, punt return and field goal/point-after attempts.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Notre Dame could again be missing Leonard Moore vs. Arkansas: injury update
Reporting by Mike Berardino, South Bend Tribune / South Bend Tribune
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