Notre Dame football coach Brian Kelly is only expecting one player to miss time because of injury as the Irish get ready for their season opener at home against Purdue on Sept. 4.

During his news conference Tuesday, Kelly said linebacker Anthony McDonald, who hyperextended his right knee last week, could be doubtful for the opener.

McDonald was competing for one of the inside linebacker starting jobs with Carlo Calabrese.

McDonald may not be able to go on game week, but that doesn't mean Calabrese will be starting alongside Manti Te'o by default.

Kelly said Dan Fox will work at outside and inside linebacker during practice, and he is looking Calabrese to play more consistently.

"We get a good day, bad day," Kelly said of Calabrese. "A lot of that is, A, inexperience and B, getting comfortable with what the role is at that particular position.

"Having said that, Carlo is in a position that every day that he gets a chance to compete and get reps, he puts himself in a better position moving forward."

As for the other players nursing injuries last week, it sounds like they are moving forward well.

Kelly said tight end Kyle Rudolph and safety Dan McCarthy, who are dealing with hamstring injuries, are progressing. Offensive linemen Dan Wenger (concussion), Andrew Nuss (undisclosed) and Matt Romine (concussion), as well as nose guard Ian Williams (toe infection) are also getting back to being able to participate in all of practice.

"We've been conservative in our treatment in terms of making sure we get them back," Kelly said. "I don't want to lose them two weeks into the season.

"I think it has worked out pretty good. The expectations are they are going to be pretty much full-go when we get into game week."