NC State football injury report: Who’s in and who’s out against Notre Dame?

N.C. State has already dealt with injuries, despite being one game into the season, but the team is alright, all things considered.

Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren said on Monday that safety Rakeim Ashford will miss this week’s game against Notre Dame. Paramedics removed Ashford from the team’s game at UConn after he was tackled illegally on a kickoff return.

The graduate student experienced feeling and movement on the sidelines, but he was taken to a local hospital for further tests. Doctors released Ashford on Friday and he flew back to Raleigh with a member of the Wolfpack staff.

“Every one of (the tests) came back the way you would want, so he’s back with us,” Doeren said. “He will not play this week. He’s going to need at least a week probably to shake that one off.”

Doeren compared Ashford’s situation to whiplash, which caused soreness that the medical team is working on. There is no definitive timeline for Ashford’s return – it could take longer than one week – but he will play again, the 11th-year coach said.

“As far as things could have been, he came out of that as good as it could have been,” Doeren said. “(It was a) disappointing act that took place there but just thankful that he’s OK.”

Senior defensive end Savion Jackson and redshirt sophomore Lyndon Cooper are back on the depth chart, as well.

Jackson missed the Pack’s opener against the Huskies after being expected to start. He traveled to UConn and participated in early warmups, but he did not suit up. Doeren said the team hopes to have Jackson back for the Notre Dame game.

Cooper did not play against the Huskies and was expected to return this week.

“He’s back, he practiced (Sunday). Excited that he’s back with us and Savion should be full go,” Doeren said. “We’re just going through the protocol with these guys. I put them on there for a reason. I’m not trying to be tricky.”

Finally, offensive lineman Dawson Jaramillo underwent surgery. He remains out for the season, but recently shared a photo to his followers on social media.

The Wolfpack hosts its home opener at noon on Saturday, facing Notre Dame for the first time since 2017.