Sophomore defensive end Victor Abiamiri will miss the remainder of spring practice. Abiamiri sustained a leg injury after being kicked in the shin during Tuesday's practice. Initially, team officials were concerned about the long term consequences of his injury, but those fears were dispelled after a doctor saw Abiamiri on Wednesday.
"At first, we thought there was a bone that was displaced and cracked, but fortunately that wasn't the case," Irish coach Charlie Weis said.
"If it was a bone that was broken, he would be out six months."
The injury is not expected to slow Abiamiri down by the time next season begins.
"He couldn't play this week or next week if we were playing," Weis said. "He would have been out a few weeks, but by the time we come back, he'll be set and ready to go," Weis said.
Impressive speed
Junior walk-on wide receiver Brandon Harris has impressed the coaching staff all spring with his speed. Harris recently started working at cornerback in practice.
Weis is optimistic Harris may prove to be a valuable asset for the team.
"I don't know if he's going to be a wide receiver or if he's going to be a DB, but when a kid runs as fast as he runs, you want to at least give him a chance to compete," Weis said.
The shift, Weis hopes, may indicate where Harris will best be able to succeed.
"You have to see where he's going to be on your depth chart as a receiver," Weis said. "If he's not going to be in your two-deep and multiple-receiver sets, then maybe he can be in your two-deep as a defensive back.
"We're looking to find niches for people so we know 'what are we going to do with them,' so when you go out there and play games, you can kind of try to figure out who the best guys are and get them all out there."
Patriotic celebration
The New England Patriots were at the White House again on Wednesday to celebrate their NFL championship with President George W. Bush. About 30 players and coaches attended the reception, but one of the key figures missing from the Super Bowl Champions was Charlie Weis, as the Irish coach was in South Bend for Notre Dame's spring practice.
Reaching out
Hannah and Friends, the foundation created by Irish coach Charlie Weis and his wife Maura to support individuals affected by autism and developmental disabilities, has partnered with Forever Collectibles and is announcing the release of officially licensed bracelets that will be sold to help support the foundation and the South-Bend based LOGAN (see photo above).
The Hammes Bookstore has already purchased 50,000 bracelets, which are slated to go on sale April 23 - the date of the Blue-Gold Scrimmage -for $2 apiece.
