Notre Dame OL Rocco Spindler was sidelined during the Indiana game

Blue and gold discovered a Notre Dame graduate student offensive lineman Rocco Spindler on the sideline in street clothes during the third quarter of the College Football Playoff game against Indiana on Friday. Second semester Sam Pendleton replaced him as right-back in the second half.

Spindler caught the attention of Notre Dame’s medical staff early in the second quarter. Blue and gold discovered that Spindler was in the injured tent. When he emerged, he appeared to do a few calf raises and then return to the game.

During the ESPN telecast, there was speculation that Spindler could be out due to injury.

“They have apparently lost their starting right tackle Rocco Spindler due to injury,” reported play-by-play broadcaster ESPN Sean McDonough said.

READ: Live updates, highlights, score: No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 10 Indiana in the College Football Playoff

With Spindler available in the first half, the Irish had 17 carries for 155 yards (9.1 yards per carry) and 1 touchdown. The offensive line gave up no sacks.

Spindler has started the last nine games at right guard for the Irish, including Friday’s game against Indiana.

Last year, Spindler started the first 10 games at right guard before suffering a knee injury on Nov. 4, 2023 against Clemson that ruled him out for the season.

Spindler eventually fought his way back to participate in spring training, but the Irish chose the junior Billy Schrauth on the left to start the season. Schrauth replaced him last season.

With the offensive line being reshuffled to begin 2024, Schrauth suffered a severe ankle sprain on September 14 against Purdue, allowing Spindler to return to action. He reclaimed his starting spot while Schrauth replaced Pendleton at left guard on October 26.

Entering Saturday’s game, Spindler had allowed no sacks and only 6 pressures in 297 pass-blocking snaps. Only one of those pressures was a quarterback hit, while the other five were hurries.

Last season, Spindler blocked 292 passes. He gave up 15 pressures (2 sacks, 5 quarterback hits and 8 quarterback hurries). As a junior, it was his first season as a starter.

A product of Clarkston (Mich.) High, Spinder was among the most heralded recruits in the class of 2021. He was the third best player in Michigan, the fourth best, according to the On3 Industry Rankings – a proprietary algorithm that compiles ratings and rankings from all four major recruiting media services Center back nationally and the No. 65 overall player.