SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Notre Dame has suffered a season-ending injury in its secondary for the second straight fall camp, as sophomore safety Nicky Baratti dislocated his shoulder Saturday and will need surgery, coach Brian Kelly announced on Monday.
Baratti, who missed the spring after surgery on the same shoulder, was seen working with the second-team defense during the Fighting Irish's most recent open practice.
Baratti, a Tomball, Texas native, appeared in all 13 games last season as a freshman, notching eight total tackles and an interception, which came in the end zone during a 13-6 win over Michigan in Week 4.
Notre Dame had lost potential starting cornerback Lo Wood during last year's preseason camp to a season-ending Achilles injury, and it then lost starting safety Jamoris Slaughter to the same injury in a Week 3 win at Michigan State, further depleting what was an already-thin secondary.
The defensive backs are much more apt to handle a blow this time around, as the group brings back safety Austin Collinsworth — who also missed last season, following shoulder and back surgeries — and welcomes in four-star safety Max Redfield. Kelly praised junior Eilar Hardy and redshirt freshman John Turner as well.
