A Grade 3 groin tear will sideline Torii Hunter Jr. for the next four to six weeks. Hunter Jr. is the son of Detroit Tigers outfielder Torii Hunter. Head coach Brian Kelly announced the news on Saturday.
Hunter Jr. will receive a total of three platelet-rich plasma injections while he rehabilitates his injury. He received the first injection this past week.
This is another injury for Hunter Jr. who broke his leg in his senior year of high school. The leg injury lingered into 2013 and caused Hunter Jr. to redshirt his freshman year.
Hunter Jr. was not expected to be a main contributor, but could have see playing time to spell slot receiver Amir Carlisle. CJ Prosise will probably see the bulk of the repetitions while Hunter Jr. remains unable to play.
The earliest Hunter Jr. could return is September 6 against Michigan. The six week target date is a bye for the Fighting Irish, which makes the September 27 game versus Syracuse in East Rutherford, New Jersey on the latter end of the recovery time. Notre Dame opens the season on August 30 versus Rice.