Daniel Cage's football career has reached a crossroads at Notre Dame.

According to his mother, Bionne Cage, the senior defensive tackle plans to take a medical red shirt this season in the hopes of recovering from multiple concussions and summer knee surgery that has hurt his off-season training. If that recovery doesn't happen or the lineman chooses to retire from football, Cage could go on medical scholarship.

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

Less than a month ago, Brian Kelly told the South Bend Tribune that Cage was expected to make a full recovery in time for training camp following knee surgery.

But according to his mother, Cage has suffered headaches since last season's concussion sidelined him in November. Cage has suffered at least three concussions during his Irish career, in addition to knee and ankle injuries that have limited his training. Cage has still managed to play in 30 games the past three seasons. He started four times last season but struggled to return to form during spring practice.

Already down Elijah Taylor following a spring practice foot surgery, Notre Dame's defense now faces some difficult choices along its defensive front.

When camp opens on Aug. 1, Notre Dame may have just eight healthy defensive tackles, with Jerry Tillery the only proven commodity. Jonathan Bonner represents the only other defensive tackle with actual game experience, having played in all 12 games last season and making one start.

The remaining group consists of Pete Mokwuah, Micah Dew-Treadway, Brandon Tiassum, Myron Tagovailoa, Kurt Hinish and Darnell Ewell. Five of them have never taken a college snap, with only Mokwuah having logged even end-of-game minutes.

As for Cage, it's conceivable he returns to the program a year from now if he can gain medical clearance. But that's a secondary goal compared to simply returning to functional health.

"He wants to make sure it's safe for him," Bionne said. "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."