Notre Dame football can redeem itself from the disastrous BYU loss on Saturday. Navy is on deck in a key road contest, but this showdown won't involve cornerback DJ McKinney.

The prized College Football Transfer Portal addition from Colorado has this update attached to him, per college football insider Adam Rittenberg.

“Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman said cornerback DJ McKinney (right ankle) will miss ‘an extended period of football,'” Rittenberg posted on the social media website X, formerly Twitter.

So when can Notre Dame expect the standout cornerback to return?

“Freeman thinks McKinney will return at some point this season, but won't be soon,” Rittenberg added.

McKinney owns one interception while breaking up two passes through seven games. It's likely his presence won't be needed greatly anyway, as the Midshipmen historically are a run first bunch.

But a healthy McKinney certainly boosts the Irish for the following game. Which is hands down the most important game on their schedule: No. 1 Miami coming into South Bend.

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That means McKinney, if healthy, would tangle with aspiring Heisman Trophy candidate at wide receiver Malachi Toney. Notre Dame faces an all hands on deck scenario when it comes to battling the Hurricanes two weeks from now.

A Notre Dame win over Navy hands the Irish momentum before the huge Miami showdown. And the Irish knocking off the top-ranked Hurricanes can certainly boost ND's College Football Playoff hopes, especially after missing out on last year's 12-team tourney.

Notre Dame enters the Navy showdown ranked No. 5 in the nation.