SOUTH BEND, IN - AUGUST 30: Daniel Cage #75 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish tackles Jowan Davis #3 of the Rice Owls at Notre Dame Stadium on August 30, 2014 in South Bend, Indiana. Notre Dame defeated Rice 48-17. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)

Notre Dame defender being forced to take a year off due to severe medical issues

Getting well is the most important thing.

Daniel Cage has been a strong contributor on the defensive line for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish since arriving on campus for the 2014 season. Unfortunately, his 2017 season is now very much in doubt and, frankly, the situation is scary with regard to his overall health.

Pete Sampson of Scout brings word from Cage's mother, Bionne Cage, and the sentiment is that Daniel Cage will likely be taking a medical redshirt for the 2017 season. Cage reportedly underwent knee surgery earlier in the summer and, while that is a factor, the more frightening scenario is that the defensive tackle has suffered "at least three" concussions since arriving in college and has been battling headaches since the most recent concussion in November 2016.

His mother said the following:

"He loves football. First and foremost, his health has to be OK. If he can get that straightened out, he can continue playing."

"He wants to make sure it's safe for him. We don't want to put him in an environment where it's risking a long term effect for a short term goal. Right now his head aches, his knee is healing. The process has been overwhelming and he wants to make sure he's OK."

The knee injury is clearly a concern as well, even with the caveat that Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly made a positive statement about his recovery timetable earlier in the offseason. The most important recovery, though, stems from the concussion issues and the fact that Notre Dame will be without a member of their defensive line for the 2017 season.

Stay tuned as more information becomes available.