SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Last week, Amir Carlisle officially won the case to play in 2012 for Notre Dame. Now the question is when a recent injury will allow him to prepare to do that.
Carlisle, a running back who transferred from USC in the winter, suffered a broke ankle earlier this month and is out for spring practice, Irish coach Brian Kelly said at a news conference Tuesday.
Kelly said the injury occurred during voluntary 7-on-7 workouts last week, and the Irish begin spring practice Wednesday. Kelly said Carlisle will return by June and summer workouts, perhaps not stunting his acclimation to a new system and therefore his ability to contribute in the fall.
As a freshman at USC, Carlisle battled through ankle and knee injuries to play in eight games, rushing for 118 yards on 19 carries. His petition to play immediately at Notre Dame — instead of sitting out a year, as is standard with transfers — was granted by the NCAA, but now the Irish will have to wait and see whether he can add backfield depth.
