The weekly Greg Bryant watch has been called off. On Thursday after practice, Brian Kelly announced that the highly touted freshman running back will need approximately four weeks rest after battling knee tendinitis, likely ending his season.

Bryant played early in the season, logging two carries against Temple and another touch against Purdue. And while fans have clamored for the five-star recruit to get a fair shot at the starting running back job, a potential redshirt year for Bryant could be the best long-term solution for a crowded depth chart that lost its elite ’14 recruit when Elijah Hood switched his commitment from the Irish to hometown North Carolina. A redshirt essentially turns Bryant into a five-star ’14 recruit.

Bryant will be eligible for a redshirt if the injury does end his season, a fortuitous turn of events if there ever was one when suffering a knee injury. As George Atkinson and Tarean Folston stepped forward last week, it’ll be interesting to see how Kelly and offensive coordinator Chuck Martin divvy carries among the four backs left standing.