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UNC Football: WR Josh Downs announces his return to lineup this weekend

By Spencer Schultz

SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 30: Josh Downs #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels catches a pass during the first quarter in the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on October 30, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
SOUTH BEND, INDIANA - OCTOBER 30: Josh Downs #11 of the North Carolina Tar Heels catches a pass during the first quarter in the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium on October 30, 2021 in South Bend, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /
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UNC football gets wide receiver Josh Downs back in the lineup this weekend against Notre Dame. What kind of impact will he have in his return?

He’s back.

UNC football will get a major piece of their team back this weekend against Notre Dame. One of several players dealing with an injury, wide receiver Josh Downs will be ready to go as the Tar Heels look to improve to 4-0.

Earlier in the week, there were encouraging reports regarding Downs’ status. On Thursday, the star wideout announced his return by tweeting out an Arnold Schwarzenegger GIF:

Downs has established himself as one of the best wide receivers in the country. In 13 games in the 2021 season, Downs racked up 1,335 receiving yards on 101 catches along with eight touchdowns. He was one of 10 semifinalists for the Biletnikoff Award, honoring the best wide receiver in college football on an annual basis.

Downs was a leading candidate to win the award this season, and in the opening game against Florida A&M, he picked up right where he left off last year. After catching his second touchdown of the game early in the fourth quarter, he came off the field with a left knee injury. The Tar Heels haven’t had him in the lineup since, so his return will be welcome.

The offense surprisingly hasn’t missed a beat without Downs in the lineup, as they have put up 98 points in their two games in his absence. They’ll certainly need him this weekend though, as the UNC football program faces a huge test against Notre Dame at Kenan Stadium. His return will only help quarterback Drake Maye, making this offense even more dangerous moving forward.

Next. Injury Update for other players against ND. dark

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