About Our Ads Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coach Marcus Freeman said on Thursday that Notre Dame senior cornerback DJ McKinney will be out for "an extended period" of time, according to a report .
ESPN's Adam Rittenberg reported that McKinney will miss the Fighting Irish 's upcoming matchups against Navy, Miami and possibly more due to a right ankle injury.
Freeman, however, noted that he thinks McKinney will be back sometime this season, but the Notre Dame faithful might not see the senior defensive back until the College Football Playoff if the team makes it.
Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander III runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) runs for a two-point conversion against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons makes a catch to score a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Micah Gilbert of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looses a pass during the first half of their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader holds a sign during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Allegiant Stadium. (Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports) Preston Rex of the Brigham Young Cougars is chased by Leonard Moore and Luke Talich of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleaders perform before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Aneyas Williams (22) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (2) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) can't make a catch against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Cade Uluave (4) during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks on during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 1 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 2 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Brigham Young Cougars cornerback Therrian Alexander III runs against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 3 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jonaz Walton (20) runs for a two-point conversion against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 4 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Brigham Young Cougars tight end Walker Lyons makes a catch to score a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 5 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Micah Gilbert of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish looses a pass during the first half of their game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 6 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU A Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleader holds a sign during the second half against the Brigham Young Cougars at Allegiant Stadium. (Lucas Peltier, USA TODAY Sports) 7 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Preston Rex of the Brigham Young Cougars is chased by Leonard Moore and Luke Talich of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the first half of their game at LaVell Edwards Stadium on October 17, 2026 in Provo, Utah. (Chris Gardner, Getty Images) 8 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish cheerleaders perform before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 9 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 10 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 11 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 12 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman reacts during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 13 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 14 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 15 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) warms up before the game against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 16 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Jaden Greathouse (1) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 17 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Aneyas Williams (22) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 18 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Nolan James Jr. (2) runs against the Brigham Young Cougars during the second half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 19 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Micah Gilbert (14) can't make a catch against the Brigham Young Cougars during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 20 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish quarterback CJ Carr (13) passes against Brigham Young Cougars linebacker Cade Uluave (4) during the first half at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) 21 / 21 See photos from Notre Dame's loss to BYU Oct 17, 2026; Provo, Utah, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish head coach Marcus Freeman looks on during the first half against the Brigham Young Cougars at LaVell Edwards Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images (Rob Gray, IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect) McKinney has nine tackles, a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown and two pass breakups through seven games for the Irish.
"We expect to get him back at some point this year, but he'll be out for quite a while," Freeman said via Rittenberg's report.
Sophomore cornerback Jayden Sanders, a transfer from Michigan , will start in place of McKinney against Navy on Saturday. He previously filled in for star cornerback Leonard Moore when he was out with a concussion.
Sanders, who also sees time as a nickel corner, has six tackles, an INT and five pass breakups in five games this season.
"He's been terrific for us, and been able to play multiple positions for us," Freeman said. "His role has increased with the injury of DJ."
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This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame senior cornerback out for 'extended period,' Freeman says
Source: Sports
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