Notre Dame safety Austin Collinsworth to miss season opener

Notre Dame safety Austin Collinsworth will miss Saturday's season opener against Rice, according to a school spokesman.

Notre Dame safety Austin Collinsworth will sit out Saturday's season opener against Rice with an undisclosed injury, according to a school spokesman.

Irish Illustrated reported that Collinsworth is likely to miss a couple of weeks after straining his MCL.

Collinsworth, who reportedly injured himself during practice on Thursday, started 11 games and recorded 43 tackles last season. Junior Elijah Shumate will take his place in the starting lineup. 

Cornerback KeiVarae Russell and reserve safety Eilar Hardy are being held out of practices and games amid a university inquiry into possible academic fraud.

Notre Dame, which went 9-4 last season, is ranked 17th in the preseason Associated Press poll.

HAMILTON: Notre Dame safety Eilar Hardy named in academic fraud investigation

Senior S Austin Collinsworth will miss today's season opener vs. Rice with an injury. Elijah Shumate will start in his place.

— Michael Bertsch (@SteelersPRMike) August 30, 2014

- Chris Johnson