Howard Cross III could try out for Notre Dame football.

But the CFP No. 5 Irish (10-1) declined to provide an update on the veteran nose tackle ahead of Saturday’s game against USC (6-5) at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum at 3:30 p.m. EST on CBS .

Notre Dame’s program released its pregame injury update an hour before kickoff, as usual. The update said everyone listed on Notre Dame’s official depth chart earlier in the week will be available for the game. However, Cross was never added to the depth chart.

That leaves Cross, who was listed as questionable this week with a left ankle injury, in uncertain status. Cross appeared limited in warmups with the Irish, not taking reps as the entire defense lined up against ND’s offense.

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Cross, a preseason All-American according to multiple media outlets, recorded 23 tackles, four sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss and three quarterback hurries in his first nine games of the season. He has been out since midway through the Florida State game.

Notre Dame has junior Donovan Hinish starting cross-out. He has totaled 28 tackles, 3.5 sacks and four quarterback hurries in 11 games this season.

Notre Dame announced earlier this week that three players will miss the USC game: freshman linebacker Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa (right knee), sophomore wide receiver KK Smith (clavicle) and freshman linebacker Bodie Kahoun (right leg). .

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A few players not on Notre Dame’s rankings in particular are unavailable: senior defensive tackle Jason Onye and freshman quarterback CJ Carr. Onye hasn’t played since the fifth game of the season. He wasn’t with the team because of a “personal problem.” Carr recently resumed throwing as he recovers from a right elbow injury.

Notre Dame lost five starters to season-ending injuries this year: cornerback Benjamin Morrison (hip), Vyper Jordan Botelho (knee), center Ashton Craig (knee), left tackle Charles Jagusah (shoulder) and Vyper Boubacar Traore (knee). .

Notre Dame previously ruled out many other players for the season: Walk-on CB Marty Auer (knee), walk-on DL Quentin Autry (shoulder), S Taebron Bennie-Powell (shoulder), walk-on CB Charles Du (shoulder) , LB Kahanu Kia (knee), RB Gi’Bran Payne (knee), OL Styles Prescod (shoulder) and CB Chance Tucker (knee).

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