Notre Dame vs Penn State opt-outs and injury report: Top players not participating in the Orange Bowl

The much-anticipated College Football Playoff semifinal at the Orange Bowl will get underway at 7:30 p.m. EST on Thursday. The Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Penn State Nittany Lions will clash for the chance to head to Atlanta for the national title game on Jan. 20.

A number of Notre Dame players are reportedly dealing with the flu ahead of the crucial matchup, but that's not the only availability issues that the two blue bloods are dealing with as they prepare to play.

Here are some notable names included in the ailment category as well as any opt-outs.

Orange Bowl opt-outs and injuries for Notre Dame and Penn State

Notre Dame injuries

Cooper Flanagan

Flanagan, a tight end, is out for the rest of the season after exiting the Fighting Irish's Sugar Bowl quarterfinal win early with a foot injury. Flanagan was mainly a blocker, having only pulled in four passes for 55 yards and two touchdowns this season.

During the Orange Bowl, the Fighting Irish will have to rely on someone else to deal with defenders on the edge.

Benjamin Morrison

Morrison, a junior cornerback who's projected to go in the first round of April's NFL draft, won't be on the field for Notre Dame during the Orange Bowl. He required hip surgery after suffering an injury against Stanford in October. Morrison had 20 stops and four pass breakups in six starts.

Penn State injuries

Abdul Carter

Arguably Penn State's best defensive player, Carter suffered a shoulder injury in his team's win over Boise State in the Fiesta Bowl quarterfinal. Nittany Lions coach James Franklin said earlier this week that he expects Carter to play in the game, but Carter's agent said Thursday morning that his participation in the Orange Bowl would be a game-time decision.

"If he can play tonight, he will do it," Carter's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said on "The Pat McAfee Show" on Thursday. "If he can go, he will, but he has a legitimate shoulder injury. ... You have to go out there and warm up and feel it. That's something that will happen in a couple hours."

If Carter is to line up for Penn State, it would be a huge presence for a unit tasked with stopping a solid Fighting Irish attack.

Beau Pribula

Pribula served as the Nittany Lions' backup quarterback during the regular season but entered the transfer portal looking for a better opportunity. Pribula played in 13 games this season, passing for five touchdowns.