Brian Kelly gives injury update on Notre Dame star safety Kyle Hamilton

Notre Dame safety Kyle Hamilton is still nursing a knee injury and will not play for the Fighting Irish vs. Navy on Saturday.

Coach Brian Kelly announced that news on Monday afternoon. However, Kelly said it’s possible Hamilton could return for Notre Dame’s matchup with Virginia on Nov. 13.

Brian Kelly says Kyle Hamilton is OUT this week. The All-American safety suffered a knee injury against USC, will receive a second treatment on the knee today. Kelly says a return for Virginia is possible.

— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) November 1, 2021

Kelly also said he expects Hamilton to play for the Fighting Irish at some point this season. Previously, there had been speculation that Hamilton wouldn’t risk further injury this year with his NFL Draft stock already secure.

Hamilton is expected to be a top 10 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Brian Kelly says that if Kyle Hamilton is healthy this season and is cleared, that he expects the safety to play again for Notre Dame.

— Pete Sampson (@PeteSampson_) November 1, 2021

So far this season, Hamilton has 34 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 4 pass deflections and 3 interceptions. He has 8 career interceptions for the Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame is 7-1 with its only loss coming vs. No. 2 Cincinnati back on Oct. 2. Kelly’s squad is likely to remain in consideration for a College Football Playoff berth if it wins out.

Notre Dame hosts Navy on Saturday before ending the season with games vs. Virginia, Georgia Tech and Stanford. Kickoff vs. the Midshipmen is at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.