Notre Dame Injury Updates | OL Matty Augustine Breaks Foot, CB Chaz Smith Out

Notre Dame’s right guard battle has become a little clearer, as sophomore offensive lineman Matty Augustine will miss time with a broken foot (fifth metatarsal).

Per a university release, Augustine is expected to return at some point this season. 

The 6-foot-7, 315-pound Augustine entered fall camp competing with Sullivan Absher for the starting right guard job after putting together a strong spring.

A year ago, offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock watched the right guard competition extend into the season, with Guerby Lambert eventually beating out Absher for the starting spot.

Denbrock was more than comfortable letting this year’s competition play out during fall camp. Unfortunately, Augustine’s injury will bring an end to that battle less than a week into practice.

“You'd love to have the answers as early as possible, but there's some really good competition going on there. We'll let it run its course here for a little bit and kind of make evaluation as we go and see if it kind of clears itself. If it's something that maybe extends into a second or even third week, we’ll see how that goes.”

Seniors Chris Terek and Devan Houstan have worked at guard this offseason. Terek has experience at right guard, while Houstan moved from the defensive line in the spring of 2025.

Freshman cornerback Chaz Smith will also miss games after undergoing surgery on his hand (right wrist, scaphoid) and is expected to return this season. 

Unlike the situation at right guard, Smith’s absence shouldn’t have a major impact on Notre Dame’s plans at cornerback.

The Irish have plenty of depth at the position and Smith was unlikely to be fighting for a significant role in the rotation with Notre Dame’s experienced core returning. 

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