NBC Sports is reporting that Notre Dame starting quarterback Dayne Crist suffered a ruptured patellar tendon in today’s game against Tulsa. Crist was tackled out of bounds in the first quarter of the game and came up holding his left leg. He was immediately replaced by the backup quarterback, Tommy Rees. Crist was later placed in a leg brace and taken to the training room. There he was reportedly diagnosed with a torn patellar tendon.
The patellar tendon is the tendon that connects the patella (kneecap) to the top of the tibia (shin bone) and helps to extend the knee. A traumatic injury almost always is involved in the injury, such as in this case. The doctor examining Crist likely was able to make the diagnosis by feeling a defect where the tendon should be and by Crist being unable to extend the knee or lift his leg straight off the table. They team might elect to get x-rays and/or an MRI to assess if any other injuries occurred, however. This injury is always treated surgically as it does not heal on its own. I expect that Crist will get surgery early this week. The Irish are saying publicly, according to NBC Sports, that Crist will be out for the season.
Read more about patellar tendon ruptures and their surgeries and treatments.
