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Following practice on Thursday head coach Brian Kelly told the media that senior nose guard Louis Nix was done for the season after having a procedure on his left knee.
Nix missed the Air Force and Navy games but was able to gut it out against Pittsburgh two weekends ago. Following the last Notre Dame game Nix had another MRI done and it was advised that he have the torn meniscus repaired.
The lovable and affable giant nose guard has one year of eligibility remaining but in all likelihood he has played his last game in an Irish uniform. As a probable first round selection in the upcoming April NFL Draft there should be plenty of time for Nix to heal his knee and perform at the Combine and Notre Dame Pro Day.
This could be a heart breaking end to one of the most endearing Irish football players in recent memory. As someone who very well could have left school last spring Nix mentioned numerous times that he wished to come back in order to earn his degree and walk to mid-field on Senior Day to meet his mother.
Now, Louis Nix will limp to the 50 to say his goodbye to the Notre Dame faithful.
Nix' absence from the lineup---even with backup nose guard Kona Schwenke not even close to 100 percent---almost seems like an afterthought as family, friends, and fans are suddenly forced to contemplate one of the most fascinating careers in Irish athletics history.
2013 was supposed to be the swan song for an incredibly talented and dominant defensive line but injuries made that a cruel charade.
Hard to believe, but in ND’s final 10 games this year it will have had Nix-Tuitt-Day on the field at the same time for just 23 snaps.
— Irish Illustrated (@NDatRivals) November 22, 2013
We'll have plenty of time over the months to think and write about Louis Nix. Needlessly to say he leaves behind a tremendous legacy. He credits the University of Notre Dame for turning around his life and we in turn were given the pleasure to watch such ferocious line play on the field and amazing interviews off the field.
Thank you, Louis.