Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly provided some updates on injuries during Thursday's media day.

Right tackle Tate Nichols is dealing with a patella subluxation in his left knee and is expected tomiss two to threeweeks.

"Whether we get him ready for the Navy game is unclear right now," Kelly said.

Nichols was battling for the starting spot with Christian Lombard. Kelly said Nick Martin and Ronnie Stanley will fill in for Nichols.

Kelly was also able to clear up the injury situation with linebacker Danny Spond, who left practice Aug. 8 with what was initially feared to be a concussion.

As Kelly said before, Spond didn't suffer a concussion or a head injury.

"He had a migraine that was so severe that it required hospitalization," Kelly said. "He's seen specialists, the best in the country. He's been through a battery of tests. Now it's just a matter of when can he get back out there and start contact and those things."

Kelly said safety Jamoris Slaughter was held out of contact drills Thursday morning because he is dealing with a bruised heel.

Slaughter's absence moved sophomore Matthieas Farley to a first-team defensive spot, and has put pressure on Dan McCarthy to hang on to a backup role behind Slaughter and Zeke Motta.

"I know I had spoken that McCarthy had that position locked up," Kelly said. "Well, it's a battle now. Farley has really been impressive the last 10 days or so."

Tight end Alex Welch had surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and there was no further damage, Kelly said. Welch will need four to six months to recover.

Finally, Kelly revealed that nose tackle Kona Schwenke broke a knuckle in his right hand. Schwenke will be able to continue to play with a cast on his right hand.