87 Days Until Notre Dame Football: Why Tight End Cooper Flanagan’s Injury May Reshape the Irish Offense in 2025

There are exactly 87 days until Notre Dame football returns to the field, and while excitement builds for another run at the College Football Playoff, one recent development could cast a long shadow over the Irish’s 2025 season: the injury to sophomore tight end Cooper Flanagan. On the surface, it might seem like a minor setback, especially given Notre Dame’s strong history at tight end and an increasingly deep roster. But a closer look reveals that Flanagan’s injury may be more impactful than most fans realize—not just because of his personal upside, but because of what he was quietly becoming for this offense.

Notre Dame has long been known as “Tight End U,” a reputation forged by the likes of Kyle Rudolph, Tyler Eifert, Cole Kmet, Tommy Tremble, and most recently, Michael Mayer. That tradition doesn’t just attract elite high school talent—it shapes how Notre Dame builds its offense. The tight end is not a luxury in South Bend; it’s a necessity. It’s baked into the system, from blocking in power run schemes to stretching the middle of the field in the passing game. That’s why Flanagan’s health matters a lot more than people might initially assume.

Flanagan wasn’t expected to be the next Mayer right away. But he was poised to take on a much bigger role in 2025 after flashing real potential during his true freshman season. Even in limited action, he showed a polished blend of physicality, route-running, and high football IQ. He wasn’t just a guy taking up snaps—he looked like a player who could step into the spotlight. And that spotlight is now vacant, at least temporarily, because of an undisclosed lower-body injury suffered during spring workouts.

While Notre Dame head coach Marcus Freeman and tight ends coach Gerad Parker have been cautious in their public comments—offering vague timelines and optimistic assessments—the reality is that Flanagan’s availability for the early part of the season is in serious doubt. And with 87 days left, that uncertainty could leave a major void in the Irish’s offensive planning.

Notre Dame’s 2025 offense was already undergoing a transition. With quarterback Riley Leonard transferring in from Duke, the Irish are banking on a strong veteran presence under center. Leonard isn’t a gunslinger, but he brings athleticism and poise, two traits that pair especially well with a reliable tight end. At Duke, Leonard leaned heavily on his tight ends to keep the chains moving. Notre Dame’s system was ready-made for him to do the same with Flanagan—someone who could sit in soft zones, win matchups against linebackers, and chip in as a blocker when needed. Without Flanagan, that safety valve might not be there.

More importantly, the timing of the injury disrupts continuity. One of the hardest things to build in a new offense is rhythm between quarterback and tight end. It’s not just about knowing the playbook—it’s about chemistry, subtle communication, and trust in tight windows. That process takes time. And if Flanagan is sidelined into fall camp or early in the season, that chemistry may not develop until it’s too late to matter in the big games—Ohio State, USC, and Florida State all loom on the schedule.

Notre Dame does have other options at the position, but they are either inexperienced or don’t offer the same all-around skill set. Eli Raridon is immensely talented, but still working back from multiple knee injuries. Holden Staes transferred out. Mitchell Evans, a former starter, is now in the NFL. That leaves a tight end room filled with potential but lacking proven production.

Incoming freshmen Jack Larsen and Cooper Alexander offer long-term promise, but counting on either to produce in September or October is a big ask. Flanagan, by contrast, already had a year under his belt and was reportedly having a standout spring before the injury. The coaches had been designing packages that featured him prominently—not just as an outlet option, but in two-tight end sets and even as a red-zone mismatch. Removing him from the equation reshuffles the entire deck.

And the ripple effects go beyond the tight end room. Offensive coordinator Mike Denbrock, back in South Bend after stints at Cincinnati and LSU, was expected to lean heavily on multiple-tight-end formations. His offense thrives when it can disguise intentions and force mismatches with athletic tight ends who can block and catch. At LSU last season, Denbrock had Mason Taylor doing a bit of everything—stretching the field and anchoring the edge. That’s what he was hoping to get from Flanagan.

Now, Denbrock may be forced to pivot toward more three-wide receiver sets or lean more heavily on the run game, potentially taking the Irish away from their preferred identity. While Notre Dame’s wide receiver room has improved, it’s still unproven at the elite level. The absence of a security blanket tight end puts more pressure on the perimeter weapons to win one-on-one battles and get open quickly.

It also impacts the offensive line. One reason Notre Dame’s line has thrived over the years is the ability to use tight ends as extra blockers in both pass protection and the run game. Without a physically ready Flanagan, the Irish might have to keep a running back in for protection more often or take more risks with unbalanced sets. Neither is ideal for a team that hopes to play clean, efficient football in big matchups.

Injuries are part of football, and Notre Dame has enough depth to survive this one. But surviving is different than thriving. Flanagan wasn’t just expected to contribute—he was trending toward becoming a foundational piece. With 87 days to go until the season kicks off, the uncertainty surrounding his return creates a fog of doubt around the offense’s ceiling.

It also delays the growth curve of what could have been a breakout sophomore campaign. For players like Flanagan, Year 2 is often where the leap happens. He had already mastered the basics of the college game. Spring and summer were supposed to be about refinement—timing with Leonard, technique in blocking drills, and understanding how to read defenses pre-snap. An injury robs him of that developmental window. Even if he returns early in the year, he’ll be playing catch-up.

And there’s another layer to consider: team morale. The 2025 Irish are a group that believes it can win big. They have a deep defense, a proven quarterback, and coaching continuity. But losing a key piece before the first whistle can alter team psychology. Leaders now have to step up sooner. Younger players have to grow up faster. Coaches have to redraw parts of the playbook. It’s manageable—but it’s disruptive.

Notre Dame fans may not see the full impact of Flanagan’s absence in the box score. It might show up in a red-zone stall against a top-10 opponent, or in a missed third-down conversion where a tight end would usually make a play. It’s the type of loss that hides in the margins—until it doesn’t.

As Flanagan works his way back, the focus now shifts to recovery and how the staff adapts in his absence. There’s hope that he’ll be back before the season gets too deep. But hope isn’t a plan. The real question is whether Notre Dame can find a viable alternative in the meantime—and if that Plan B is good enough to win playoff-level games.

The countdown to kickoff has begun. With 87 days left, there’s plenty of time for adjustments and optimism. But Flanagan’s injury is a crack in the foundation that deserves more attention than it’s getting. If Notre Dame is going to make a serious push toward a national title in 2025, the tight end position must not just survive—it must excel. And the sooner Cooper Flanagan returns to health, the better the Irish’s chances of making that dream a reality.