John Carlson, Notre Dame's starting tight end from Litchfield, is expected to miss the final two games of the regular season after injuring his right knee last weekend against Air Force.
Carlson has been a vital part of the Fighting Irish's offense, catching 46 passes for 621 yards and four touchdowns.
"I'm being practical saying it's a long shot that we'll have him back for USC (the final regular-season game)," Notre Dame head coach Charlie Weiss told reporters after the game. "But we'll have him back for whatever game we end up playing at the end of the season.
Carlson was injured in the second quarter while blocking when Air Force defensive lineman rolled into his knee, Carlson was helped off the field and watched the second half of the Fighting Irish's 39-17 win in streetclothes.
Carlson caught his only pass of the game from quarterback Brady Quinn for a one-yard touchdown in the first quarter.
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Carlson is one of the candidates for the John Mackey Award for top collegiate tight end in the nation.
Notre Dame plays its final home game against Army on Saturday, then finishes up with an important game against USC that could possibly propel the winner into the national championship.
Carlson is a senior academically at Notre Dame and is a redshirt junior.
He has been asked frequently if he will return for his final season at Notre Dame.
"Yeah, I'm asked that all the time," he said, during a telephone interview Wednesday night. "I haven't made any decision. I'm jsut concentrating on this season."
Carlson has been projected by several scouting prganizations to be a high draft pick if he does forego his final season of eligibility and enter the NFL draft.
"I never thought this would even be an option at the beginning of the year," admitted Carlson. "I didn't know what to expect. But the coaching staff has really prepared me and I'm happy to get a chance to help the team win."
Carlson started at tight end last season along with Anthony Fasano, a second-round draft pick of the Dallas Cowboys. But Fasano was the main weapon from that position in the passing game, while Carlson was used more as a blocking tight end.
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This season, Carlson has taken on Fasano's role as the primary target among tight ends and hiss prowess has helped the Fighting Saints to a 9-1 record.
"I think we turned the season around in the Michigan State game," said Carlson. "We had just had our butts kicked by Michigan (47-21 in the third game) the week before and we were down 17 points to Michigan State at their place and we came back and won (40-37). We've been playing really well since that."
And Carlson has been a big reason why.
