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The Charles Jagusah injury update is unfortunate for Notre Dame. What should the Fighting Irish do at right guard?
Notre Dame football and head coach Marcus Freeman delivered a difficult update on redshirt junior offensive lineman Charles Jagusah this week, confirming that the talented lineman will not be available to begin the 2026 college football season.
The timeline for Jagusah’s return remains uncertain as he continues to recover from nerve damage sustained in a humerus injury during a UTV accident that cost him the entire 2025 season. After the initial injury, Jagusah dealt with an infection in that arm. That has led to a long list of complications.
The news, while not entirely surprising, is a significant blow to the Fighting Irish offensive line. A group of local Notre Dame beat reporters met with Freeman this week for a wide-ranging discussion about the state of the roster, and the Jagusah update was among the most notable takeaways.
What Marcus Freeman said about Jagusah’s status
Freeman told reporters that he believes Jagusah will eventually return to football, but the reality of dealing with a nerve issue makes the situation highly unpredictable. There is no clear understanding of when Jagusah will be physically ready to return to the field, and his short-term timeline is in a difficult spot.
That uncertainty extends beyond just the start of the season. There is no telling whether Notre Dame will be able to depend on Jagusah at any point during the 2026 campaign, or potentially even beyond that. The lack of clarity does nothing to inspire confidence that the 6-foot-7, 330-pound lineman will suit up in blue and gold again anytime soon.
If healthy, Jagusah would likely be the starting right guard for the Irish and a candidate to be one of the best offensive linemen in the country. His absence leaves a real hole in the lineup that the coaching staff needs to address.
Who fills the void at right guard?
The expectation is that redshirt junior Sullivan Absher will step into the starting right guard role. Absher was solid for Notre Dame last season, but his time at the position always felt like a placeholder for Jagusah’s eventual return. With that return now very much in question, the conversation shifts from short-term fix to long-term solution.
That is where redshirt freshman Matty Augustine enters the picture. The Connecticut native has been turning heads this offseason after enrolling last year. Augustine has split time between right tackle and guard, but he appears to be getting increased reps on the interior. Folks around South Bend are very bullish on the upside that Augustine brings to the table.
If I’m the Notre Dame staff, I think Augustine deserves a serious look as the answer at right guard. The 6-foot-8, 310-pounder is an extremely talented football player with four years of eligibility ahead of him if he chooses to use them. With Jagusah’s long-term availability a genuine question mark, this might be the time to make a bigger move rather than relying on another bridge option.
Looking ahead for Notre Dame’s offensive line
The Jagusah situation is one that the Irish staff will have to monitor throughout the year. Freeman’s confidence that Jagusah will play football again is encouraging on a personal level, but from a football planning standpoint, Notre Dame cannot afford to build its offensive line around a player whose return date remains unknown.
Augustine’s development this offseason could end up being one of the more important storylines to watch heading into fall camp. If his trajectory continues in the right direction, the Irish might find that this difficult news about Jagusah accelerates a transition they would have needed to make eventually anyway.
This article was originally published on A to Z Sports. Read the full story here: Notre Dame football's Charles Jagusah injury update creates an interesting debate about the best fix for the offensive line
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