Marcus Freeman’s 2026 spring practice squad is facing challenges, with key players injured, but the coach isn’t concerned. For him, the Irish are otherwise healthy. That confidence may stem from the team’s depth of talent, but Freeman’s explanation of why he supports in-practice scuffles seems to add to the concerns.

“I don’t want them to lose that competitive spirit. If we don’t have scuffles or tussles, then we’re probably not as competitive as I aspire to have our team be,” Freeman said during his Wednesday appearance after spring practice.

“But we do have a simple rule. Two guys fighting is the max, and we’re not gonna have full teammate melees. So two guys are fighting; they’re fighting. Everybody else’s job is to break them up. And we have to be proactive about that in terms of showing them and teaching them. Our guys do an unbelievable job at pulling guys apart. So then you’re not wasting time. We got so much work to do, we can’t waste two minutes breaking up a fight.”

In short, the 40-year-old is calling for more physical altercation, which can worsen the injury risk. To top that, too many ND players are already suffering from various types of injuries. Yesterday, Notre Dame’s senior defensive tackle Jason Onye had surgery on his hand and may miss the remainder of spring practice. Then, freshman safety Nick Reddish has a labrum (shoulder) tear, so he’s out for the remainder of the 2026 spring practice.

Considering that, Freeman’s words signal Notre Dame’s injury concerns could take a worse turn. But the coach’s intention behind this is simple: don’t interfere between two brothers. In fact, he doesn’t mean there’s no rule or that the Irish don’t have any discipline on the field during practice.

“What are we doing? Everybody else breaks them up, puts the ball down, and goes. So, there are some consequences if we do waste too much time. I’m gonna get some time back somehow some way. But again, you want that,” added the ND head coach.

“Now, here’s the other side of things, right? And I don’t know how many of you guys have brothers. But I say this all the time, me and my brother, when we would fight, it’s just like brothers; we fight. But there’s a line you don’t cross, right?

“When you’re fighting your brother, if you love them, some people might think I’m crazy, but you just don’t cross a certain line where, I mean, everybody’s line might be a little bit different. But that’s ours. If you two guys are fighting, don’t cross the line and don’t take it off the field. It can’t be personal.”

So, Notre Dame’s head coach knows how to handle his players even after physical altercations. But that doesn’t lessen the chance of his players getting injured during in-practice scuffles.

Notre Dame’s injury update during spring camp

Notre Dame’s 2026 spring practice is already facing a setback with over 10 players sidelined for different injuries. For shoulder injuries, the Irish lost three players: CB Khary Adams, LB Ja’Kobe Clapper, and DL Gordy Sulfsted. Then, for the ACL, WR Brayden Robinson, LB Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa, RB Kedron Young, and OL Ashton Craig are off the practice field. To make matters worse for Freeman’s team, RB Javian Osborne is sidelined because of a wrist injury.

But that’s not all, as LB Drayk Bowen’s hip injury, LB Madden Faraimo’s wrist injury, OL Tyler Merrill’s shoulder injury, LB Kahanu Kia’s knee injury, and RB Aneyas Williams’ elbow injury limit them this spring practice. Then some players delayed the start of spring camp due to injuries.

In this situation, it clearly shows that Notre Dame could suffer from depth issues at several positions this season if those players are not fully healthy when the season begins.