Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Offensive lineman latest Fighting Irish player to be lost for season

Published Oct. 20, 2015 7:34 p.m. ET

foxsports

Notre Dame football has lost another starter.

Coach Brian Kelly told reporters on a teleconference Sunday sophomore offensive lineman Alex Bars is out for the season after suffering a fractured ankle during the Fighting Irish's win over USC.

Kelly compared Bars' injury to the one that knocked out quarterback Malik Zaire against Virginia in the second game of the season.

Bars was playing in place of Quentin Nelson, who started the first five games before being hurt against Clemson and missing the Navy game a week later.

Nelson was able to take Bars' place to finish the win over the Trojans, but Kelly confirmed Notre Dame's bye week was coming at a good time.

"Playing all the power five teams that we did play, this came at the absolute latest possible time, and getting a week off here is going to be very beneficial for our football team as we now kind of really focus on going on the road for a good amount of the back end much our season," Kelly said. "So it was a much needed time for these guys."