Notre Dame will in fact be down a safety for the 2013 season.
A report from Irish Illustrated surfaced Sunday afternoon claiming Notre Dame safety Nicky Baratti could miss the season with a shoulder injury. The site pointed to a Facebook post from Baratti’s father, Clarke, who posted a photo of his son’s interception against Michigan last season with the caption, “You won’t be seeing this again in 2013 ?.. Nicky is out for the year.”
Irish coach Brian Kelly confirmed as much on Monday, noting that Baratti will need season-ending surgery to repair a dislocated shoulder he sustained on Saturday during practice. Irish Illustrated adds that Baratti re-injured the same shoulder that resulted in limited participation for him during spring practices.
“We hope to regain that year (of eligibility), obviously,” Kelly said. “Very disappointed for Nick, he’s worked hard to get back. We’ll expect the next man in to step up and get it done there.”
Baratti was working with the Irish’s second-team defense, but was very much in the mix to see some significant playing time this fall.