North Side grad Johnson suffers injury in Notre Dame opener

GREEN BAY, Wisc. (WANE) – Fort Wayne native Brauntae Johnson ended Notre Dame's season-opening win against Wisconsin in a boot, as the safety was injured in the Irish's 41-13 win over the Badgers at Lambeau Field on Sunday night. Coach Marcus Freeman did not have an update on Johnson following the game. Johnson headed back to the locker room late in the second quarter. He returned to the sidelines in the third quarter wearing a boot on his left foot. Johnson underwent surgery on the fifth metatarsal of his left foot in August of 2024 that caused him to miss the bulk of the season. A junior, Johnson was credited with 1 solo tackle and 1 pass break up against the Badgers. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound safety was named a Preseason Second Team All-American last month. Notre Dame is set to host Rice at 3:30 on Saturday in South Bend.