The way coach Charlie Weis outlined Notre Dame's injury situation at his press conference Tuesday could only be described as a case of the good, the bad and the ugly.
First, the good. Sophomore wide receiver Michael Floyd is set to return to action in this Saturday's game against Navy.
"Michael Floyd is back," Weis said. "He's ready to go."
In just 10 quarters of action earlier this season, Floyd had 13 catches for 358 yards and five touchdowns. He suffered a broken collarbone attempting to make a catch in the first half of Notre Dame's 33-30 win over Michigan State.
"I let Michael make the call once he got cleared to go," Weis said. "I still let Michael make the call as to whether this was the week or not. He talked to his mom, and they talked about it. He came back to me and said ‘I'm ready to go.'"
Floyd adds another important dimension to an offense that could already be labeled as explosive, even in his absence. Weis said junior quarterback Jimmy Clausen was thrilled to have his star receiver back in action.
"It wasn't too much longer before I got a text from No. 7 [Clausen]," Weis said. "As happy as No. 3 [Floyd] was, I think No. 7 might have been just as happy."
Unfortunately, Weis' press conference also included the bad news. Sophomore right guard Trevor Robinson, who tweaked his ankle in last week's 40-14 win over Washington State, was doubtful for this weekend's game. Senior Dan Wenger, who started for the Irish at center last season, will take his place.
"He's making good progress, but he's doubtful this week," Weis said.
Finally, the ugly. Weis confirmed Notre Dame fans' worst fears Tuesday when he announced that sophomore quarterback Dayne Crist suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) late in Saturday's win over the Cougars.
"He'll be out about four to six months," Weis said. "That's the recovery. Fortunately there's not a lot of other things wrong, but that needs to be done."
Weis said sophomore wide receiver John Goodman would serve as the team's emergency third-string quarterback until Crist returns. Fifth-year senior Evan Sharpley was moved up to second string on the Irish depth chart, behind Clausen.
Goodman, who played quarterback at Bishop Dwenger High School in Fort Wayne, Ind., practiced at quarterback for Notre Dame in the spring, and has seen some action out of Notre Dame's Wildcat formation this season.
Weis also said senior wide receiver Robby Parris was ready to play this weekend, junior running back Armando Allen was day-to-day and sophomore defensive lineman Kapron Lewis-Moore was probable.
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