Notre Dame loses TE Ragone for season with knee injury

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Notre Dame tight end Mike Ragone, expected to vie for the starting position, will miss the season after undergoing surgery Friday for a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Ragone, a sophomore, who caught one pass last season, injured his knee while running routes this summer, coach Charlie Weis said. Ragone planned to try to play with the injury, but the condition worsened so he decided Thursday to have surgery.

Weis said Ragone will spend the 2008 season rehabbing to be ready for 2009.

Notre Dame's other possible starters at tight end include, junior Will Yeatman, who started three games last season and had six catches for 37 yards, and highly rated freshman Kyle Rudolph.