‘Notre Dame’ injuries: Two Irish defensive backs are “game-time decisions;” preseason All-American cornerback Leonard Moore reportedly not in pads, not warming up; Moore and nickel back DeVonta Smith have ankle injuries

September 20, 2025 Leprechaun Express - Steve Welsh Featured, Headlines, Irish Game Day

Medical Symbol file image, adapted from .gov image

A ‘Notre Dame’ Football official x/twitter profile announced that both preseason All-American starting cornerback Leonard Moore and lead “nickel back” (defensive back) DeVonta Smith are “game-time decisions” regarding their availability to play. Both have ankle injuries.

Last week against Southern Cal, Purdue threw for more than 300 yards, in game that was 20-10 in the third quarter, with a final margin of 33-17.

The @NDFootball availability update for today’s game vs. Purdue (3:30 p.m. ET, NBC):

CB Leonard Moore (right ankle) & CB DeVonta Smith (right ankle) are game-time decisions. K Noah Burnette (right hip) is out.

All other student-athletes on the two-deep this week are available.

— Notre Dame Football PR Team (@NDFootballPR) September 20, 2025

Already listed as “questionable” on ‘Notre Dame’s’ injury list, preaseason All-American Irish cornerback Leonard Moore was reportedly observed, roughly an hour before game time, still in street clothes and not warming up. According to Irish Illustrated,

#GoIrish cornerback Leonard Moore was in a hoodie and pants on the field, throwing passes to his teammates and did not warm up.

— Irish Illustrated (@irishillustratd) September 20, 2025

The Irish take on the Boilermakers in The House That Rockne Built at 3:30 p.m. ET, 2:30 CT, 1:30 MT, 12:30 PT, live on NBC and ‘Notre Dame’ Football Radio.