Source: Notre Dame’s Leonard has ankle surgery

• Heather Dinich, ESPN Elder WriterFeb 1, 2024, 02:20 PM ET

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  • College football press reporter
  • Signed up with ESPN.com in 2007
  • Graduate of Indiana University

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard, who moved from Duke in December and is projected to begin for the Irish this season, will miss out on some winter season exercises following ankle surgical treatment for an injury he suffered in the fall, a source informed ESPN.Leonard is anticipated to be cleared to completely get involved before spring practice begins in March and might join the group for some of the winter season workouts, the source said.Leonard, who has one year of eligibility remaining, suffered a gruesome ankle injury Sept. 30 in Duke’s loss to Notre Dame. He missed out on the following week’s game against NC State and after that worsened the injury in a loss to Florida State.According to a source,

Leonard’s physical at Notre Dame revealed his ankle had not been fully restored, so he had surgical treatment to fix it. The rehab timetable is four to 6 weeks, and Leonard is presently two weeks into it.Leonard was among the leading players in the transfer website, as he helped manage one of the biggest turn-arounds in college football. In 2022, Leonard accounted for 33 touchdowns (20 passing, 13 rushing)while leading heaven Devils to a 9-4 record, a six-win enhancement over 2021. In 2015, he led Duke to a season-opening win versus Clemson and the school’s highest national ranking since 1994. He suffered a season-ending toe injury against Louisville and finished with 1,102 passing lawns, 352 hurrying backyards and 7 total goals in 7 games.Notre Dame’s spring game is April 20.