SOUTH BEND ― When Notre Dame basketball junior guard Markus Burton hobbled out of an opposing arena late last week on crutches with his left foot in a walking boot, early concern about his foot/ankle injury was simple.
“It’s not good.”
That phrase was offered several times over the next three days. Then, late Monday, an addendum.
“Not good at all.”
According to multiple sources close to Burton, “not good” likely means surgery and an extended absence for Burton, who leads the Irish (7-3) in scoring (18.5 ppg), assists (3.7), steals (16) and minutes (30.1). When Notre Dame returns to action Wednesday, Dec. 10, at home against Idaho, Burton will not be in the lineup. He won’t be in the lineup Saturday at home against Evansville or when Notre Dame closes non-conference play Sunday, December 21 at home against Purdue Fort Wayne.
When ― and maybe even if ― Burton might return likely will remain open-ended. One source told the Tribune that the left foot/ankle injury will require a longer recovery time than when Burton missed seven games last season with a right knee injury.
When Burton was hurt last November in a game against Rutgers, his sideline timeline was six to eight weeks. Burton returned in five.
This injury/recovery is expected to be longer than eight weeks. Does that mean eight to 10 weeks? Ten to 12? Burton, like he did last season, might heal quickly and be back sooner than expected. He might also need more time before being cleared.
“We’ll figure it out,” Irish coach Micah Shrewsberry said last week in the aftermath of Burton’s injury. “We’ll deal with it. That’s the good thing about having depth. You don’t have depth like him, but you’ve got capable people, man.”
As of Wednesday’s home game, there are 87 days (21 games over 13 weeks) remaining in Notre Dame’s regular season, not including the Atlantic Coast Conference tournament.
Shrewsberry will meet the media early Tuesday afternoon.
Burton was hurt about halfway through the first half of Friday’s 87-85 overtime victory at TCU. After driving to the basket and landing awkwardly on the baseline, Burton got up and tried to jog back downcourt. He couldn’t even make it to the free throw line before stopping, hopping and collapsing in pain. He eased himself to the floor and immediately grabbed his lower left leg.
Burton was helped to the locker room and spent the second half of the game at the end of the Irish bench in a gray sweatsuit.
Burton’s recovery/return timetable remains so uncertain that there might be an added element to possibly consider. He was hurt in Notre Dame’s 10th game, which means the Irish had not yet completed 30% of the regular season.
If he sits for the rest of the year, Burton would be eligible for a medical redshirt. He would have two full years of eligibility after this season.
If he returns to play for however many games post-rehab, Burton would not be eligible for a medical redshirt.
Follow South Bend Tribune and NDInsider columnist Tom Noie on X (formerly Twitter): @tnoieNDI. Contact Noie at tnoie@sbtinfo.com
