Joey O’Brien, a 2026 graduate of La Salle College High School in Wyndmoor/Glenside and a 5-star freshman defensive back for Notre Dame, was spotted on crutches during the football program’s Blue-Gold game on Saturday, the Fighting Irish’s sports outlet Slap the Sign reported.

According to their coverage, the injury took place early in the game. Notre Dame’s coaching staff has not provided details regarding the nature of the injury.

In related news, O’Brien was featured by Sports Illustrated earlier this month in an article titled “Why This Notre Dame Freshman Looks Like a Future Star”.

An excerpt:

While Joey O’Brien’s physical attributes are impressive, especially for a young player, the intangibles are what impress people the most. Joey O’Brien has elite football instincts.

He just has a feel for the game that is rare, unique, and that can’t be learned over time. O’Brien displays a comfortable and natural knack for feeling out where the football is going and where he and his teammates must line up to attack it.

Coaches love players with these instincts. They are rare, special, and more than anything else, can be trusted by the coaching staff, even if they don’t have a ton of college playing experience.

Expectations for Notre Dame are off the charts for the 2026 season, and having a young player like O’Brien emerge as a playmaker early in his career would go a long way to making this year a truly special season in South Bend.

O’Briend was named a 2025 National High School All-American, 2025 Pennsylvania Gatorade Player of the Year, and the MaxPreps Pennsylvania Player of the Year during his senior year as an Explorer. He capped off his high school football career by helping lead La Salle College High School to a 2025 PIAA 6A State Championship. 

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Photo: Tyler Horka via X.com