Notre Dame football head athletic trainer Rob Hunt provided insights on redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr’s recovery from a September throwing elbow injury. Despite initial fears of needing surgery, an MRI confirmed he could avoid that route. Hunt detailed the structured rehab plan that allowed Carr to progress through rest, light training, and a throwing program, enabling him to participate in postseason games. Although he initially missed valuable scout team reps, Carr focused on conditioning and strengthening his frame. As spring practice begins on March 19, he is expected to compete for the starting job alongside other quarterbacks.
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SOUTH BEND—As Notre Dame football gears up to begin its condensed spring practice period on March 19, redshirt freshman quarterback CJ Carr is expected to be operating at full capacity.
This was certainly the expectation after the talented prospect suffered a throwing elbow injury during practice in late September, but now the long recovery is nearly complete.
Rob Hunt, the head athletic trainer for the Irish football team, recently provided insights into Carr’s “remarkable” progress through the rest-and-rehab protocol.
“Once we identified the injury, it became a matter of implementing a structured plan for his return to play,” said Hunt. “Clearly, a lack of information for others leads to an abundance of speculation. We anticipated a 10- to 12-week return from the onset and executed it effectively.”
Initially placed on no-throw status, Carr lost valuable practice time with the scout team. In a December 30 interview with the South Bend Tribune before the Sugar Bowl, Carr expressed early concerns about possible surgery, but an MRI quickly alleviated those worries.
“It was a very gradual, intentional process that demanded specific objectives for him to meet,” Hunt explained. “There was a resting phase, followed by light work and training, before he progressed to a throwing program. He was probably more frustrated than anyone else due to his competitive nature.”
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Standing at 6-foot-3 and weighing 210 pounds, Carr executed four plays without throwing a pass at the end of the Purdue game on September 14.
After his injury, he utilized the downtime to enhance his physical fitness in preparation for a competitive battle for the starting role against fellow teammates Steve Angeli and Kenny Minchey.
“By early October, we realized that (Carr) wouldn’t be able to participate in any substantial team practices until December,” Hunt noted. “The silver lining was that he had the chance to engage in activities during December and January (in the College Football Playoff) while progressing through his ‘return to throwing’ program.”
While Carr missed additional game time following the Purdue matchup, he is expected to share first-team practice reps during the 25 days leading up to the Blue-Gold Game on April 12.
“It was beneficial,” Hunt remarked about last fall’s rigorous rehab plan, “to provide us with that preparation time.”
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com. Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.