No, running back LJ Martin won’t be suiting up, but fans are likely to see the return of safety and kick returner Cannon DeVries with the possibility of both safety Raider Damuni and linebacker Isaiah Glasker returning from their respective injuries.

DeVries left BYU’s 17-10 win over TCU two weeks ago early with an undisclosed injury, and while coaches were generally positive regarding his return the following week against Iowa State, he remained on the sidelines. Sure, the sophomore’s absence was missed in BYU’s defensive secondary, but where he was missed mostly was as the team’s primary kick and punt returner. In his stead Tiger Bachmeier muffed two returns while showing poor field awareness in attempting to field one of his fumbled punts right at BYU’s own goal line.

If BYU has any hope to upset the heavily-favored Irish then special teams execution has to be at least up to par, making DeVries return to the lineup an essential component. Not only has the Weber High product proved reliable, but he’s already returned one kickoff for a touchdown and averages a stellar 16.4 yards per punt return.

Perhaps a couple of surprise development to the defensive depth chart that was released earlier this week were the additions of both safety Raider Damuni and linebacker Isaiah Glasker, both of whom were excluded from the depth chart since sustaining their respective injuries.

For Damuni, he suffered an apparent leg injury when rolled up on late during the second quarter of play during BYU’s opening week 63-7 win over Utah Tech. While initially believed to be potentially season-ending, news of his injury has become increasingly better with every week, and there were reports that he returned to the practice field during preparations for Iowa State.

Damuni is listed as a co-starter at one of the safety positions, along with sophomore Tommy Prassas, who has largely filled in at the position since Damuni’s injury.

As for Glasker, he left the TCU game two weeks ago with his own apparent lower-body injury with nothing specific relayed regarding his injury status, although it was believed he’d possibly be out for some time. Leading up to last week’s game versus Iowa State the former Bingham High standout was removed from the depth chart completely, indicating a significant injury, although he’s now returned to that same depth chart and listed as a co-starter along with Jake Clifton at the so-called ‘rover’ position.

As for Martin, Sitake offered some specifics regarding his potential timetable to return to the lineup following this Saturday’s game versus Notre Dame, mentioning that the senior ball-carrier will likely be considered as ‘week-to-week’ regarding his availability beginning with BYU’s game versus Arizona State on October 31.

Perhaps the most surprising news shared by Sitake was that running back Sione Moa may be returning to the lineup much earlier than most anticipated. Moa posted a picture of himself preparing for surgery on his torn MCL and PCL shortly after he left the Utah Tech game with those injuries, leaving a lot of doubt whether he could return at any point during the remainder of the season.

“It’s also nice that Sion Moa is back on the field and practicing,” Sitake said on Monday, plainly stating that the former Timpview standout could be returning to the lineup in the coming weeks.

So BYU will very likely be made to rely on the trio of Preston Rex, Journee Tonga and DeVaughn Eka at running back for at least this coming Saturday’s matchup versus the Irish and most likely for the following game at UCF on October 24. Together the trio produced just 54 yards on 17 combined carries against the Cyclones last week and will look to improve those stats while providing better overall play in pass protection and other responsibilities versus a much better Notre Dame defense this Saturday.

“It was hit and miss in different spots, but here’s a lot that goes into the running game. It just can’t be on the guy carrying the ball,” Sitake said. “So there’s 10 other guys on the field that need to do their job, too. But the running backs do have the responsibility … of making sure that all 10 guys look good … I’m proud of the way the guys ran the ball when we were able to get some yards, but whatever it takes for us to get points on the board and keep the chains moving, that’s what we want to focus on.”