Notre Dame Position Battle Ends Early as Matty Augustine Suffers Broken Foot

Notre Dame’s fall camp is still in its early stages, but the Fighting Irish already have significant injury news to manage.

One of the more intriguing position battles on the offensive line has taken an unexpected turn. Redshirt freshman Matty Augustine will miss extended time after suffering a broken right foot during an early practice.

Matty Augustine Out With Broken Foot

Augustine sustained a break to the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. The injury will require surgery, and he is expected to miss a significant portion of the preseason while recovering.

Notre Dame’s PR team also announced that freshman cornerback Chaz Smith will undergo surgery on his right wrist (scaphoid) and is expected to return later this season.

While Augustine only appeared in a handful of games last year, the timing of the injury still stings. At 6-foot-7 and 310 pounds, he had emerged as a strong candidate to compete for the starting right guard job. Coaches had been high on his development since he arrived in the 2025 recruiting class, viewing him as a potential sleeper to earn a starting role.

How the Injury Changes the Right Guard Picture

With Augustine sidelined, Sullivan Absher is now in line to step into the starting right guard role previously expected to be contested. Absher will have the first opportunity to claim the job that opened following the departure of Charles Jagusah.

When Augustine eventually returns, he will face the challenge of working his way back into the mix and potentially unseating Absher. That delayed competition changes the trajectory of what was expected to be an open battle throughout camp.

Augustine’s versatility also makes the absence more noticeable. He has the size and skill set to play both guard and tackle, a valuable trait in today’s college football landscape where roster flexibility matters. Losing that kind of depth early in camp forces the staff to adjust its plans along the offensive line.

What It Means for Notre Dame Heading Into the Season

Notre Dame entered fall camp with high expectations after missing the College Football Playoff last season. The program returned key pieces and added talent through the transfer portal, creating optimism around the 2026 roster.

Injuries are an unavoidable part of camp, and the “next man up” mentality will be tested immediately. Absher now has a clear path to lock down the right guard spot if he performs well in the coming weeks. At the same time, Augustine’s long-term upside remains intact once he returns to full health.

The early injury updates serve as a reminder that depth will be tested before the regular season even begins. For now, Notre Dame must move forward without one of its more intriguing young offensive linemen while continuing to sort out the rest of the starting lineup.

Fall camp is still young. How the offensive line settles in the coming weeks will go a long way toward determining how prepared the Irish are for the challenges ahead.