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Rylie Mills exits College Football Playoff first-round game vs. Indiana with injury
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Rylie Mills had to be helped off the field in the third quarter of Friday night’s first-round College Football Playoff game against Indiana.
After sacking IU quarterback Kurtis Rourke, Mills stayed down on the field with an apparent leg injury. Mills was holding his right knee and was tended to by Notre Dame’s training staff.
According to ESPN’s Molly McGrath, Mills was made to wear a brace on his knee by the Notre Dame medical staff. McGrath also reported that he was walking with a noticeable limp on the sideline. He did not take the field on the ensuing defensive possession after the injury.
Mills is a 6-foot-5, 295-pound super senior who plays an integral role in the Notre Dame defense. Through his first 12 games this season, Mills led all Notre Dame defensive linemen with 35 tackles. He also led the defense with 7.5 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.
A team captain, Mills also has 33 quarterback pressures and a team-best 82.5 pass-rush grade from Pro Football Focus.
It’s not an exaggeration to suggest that a serious injury to Mills could be a ceiling-altering blow to the Notre Dame defense. Notre Dame was hopeful to have Howard Cross III back from an extended absence for Friday night’s game, but he did not register a stat through the first 3 quarters.
The Irish led Indiana 17-3 at the time of Mills’ injury. If Notre Dame goes on to win, it’ll face Georgia on Jan. 1 in the Sugar Bowl.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
