SOUTH BEND — Notre Dame football quarterback Riley Leonard, the senior transfer from Duke, was a limited participant in spring practice No. 7 on Wednesday morning.
Leonard, who underwent a follow-up procedure on his right ankle on March 22, walked into Wednesday’s practice with a light brace on his right ankle. He used crutches and a knee scooter to get around the indoor practice field on March 27, the last time media observation was allowed.
On Wednesday, Leonard took part in half-speed repetitions with his fellow quarterbacks during individual drills that were open to the media. Leonard took shotgun snaps, handed off in the run-pass option and even flicked a few quick passes to receivers in the flat.
Leonard, who has yet to be ruled out for the Blue-Gold Game on April 20, was not observed jogging, but he did appear to be in good spirits as he walked without a limp.
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Building chemistry with a new batch of receivers has been challenging for Leonard this spring. He underwent a TightRope procedure on his right ankle in mid-January and was in a walking boot for a few weeks.
“As much as we can in our room, we try to focus on: What is your job?” receivers coach Mike Brown said. “I don’t care who’s throwing it. I don’t care if I’m throwing it in individual or Coach Gino (Guidugli) is throwing. It doesn’t matter. Are you doing your job? Are you where you’re supposed to be? And then when the ball comes your way, do you make (the catch)?”
Watching again from the sidelines on Wednesday morning were wideouts Beaux Collins, the Clemson grad transfer who won’t enroll until June, and sophomore Jordan Faison, the two-sport sensation who has quickly become a key scoring option for the top-ranked Irish lacrosse team.
“There is a timing aspect and things like that,” Brown said. “Regardless of who’s throwing the ball, we have to understand: Do we know why we’re doing what we’re doing? Are we in the right places? Are we handling our part?
“Don’t worry about what’s going on behind the center. That part will work itself out. Just focusing on ourselves and the things we can control right now. And when the ball comes, make the plays.”
After returning to the field in time for March 7 and the first practice of the spring, Leonard landed back on the shelf after spring break when he was deemed to be at risk of a stress fracture. The procedure on March 22 was done to swap out the protective plate in his ankle, which Leonard injured last Sept. 30 in the final minute of a home loss to Notre Dame.
Leonard also had season-ending toe surgery on his left foot in November.
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for NDInsider.com and is on social media @MikeBerardino.
