REPORT: Notre Dame Running Back Cierre Wood Suspended

Notre Dame will be without leading ball carrier and running back Cierre Wood when the Fighting Irish take on Navy this Saturday in Dublin, Ireland.

NBC Sports’ Keith Arnold confirmed

rumors swirling late Saturday night on Twitter that Wood would not make the trip across the Atlantic, though the duration of Wood’s suspension and the specific violation are unsubstantiated as this time.

Wood is the third 2011 starter suspended for Notre Dame’s season opener, joining quarterback Tommy Rees and linebacker Carlo Calabrese. Rees and Calabrese were involved in an altercation with South Bend Police in May. Rees’ absence allowed redshirt freshman Everett Golson to secure starting duties against Navy — and possibly longer. Rees’ status as starter was in question since late in the 2011 season, but Wood was entrenched as the feature back.

Last season, Wood rushed for over 1,100 yards. The insertion of Golson at quarterback gives the Fighting Irish running game an added dynamic that would seemingly benefit Wood, forcing defenses to adjust for an additional option. Wood was on the preseason Heisman Trophy watch list. Missing the Navy game would not necessarily sink that opportunity — 2011 finalist Tyrann Mathieu missed a game in late October — but if Wood misses anything more than the opener, it’s a detriment not only to his possible individual accolades but the look of the Irish offense.

Arnold reports that UND adjusted practices to compensate for Wood’s possible absence, using Theo Riddick and George Atkinson as first team feature backs.

UPDATED, 11:34 a.m. PT

Wood’s suspension is reportedly for two games, meaning he will miss UND’s tilt against Purdue. Also suspended is defensive end Justin Utupo.