SOUTH BEND – Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly has a message for players battling for playing time as the Sept. 4 season opener against Purdue draws closer: Keep working.

“Everybody is starting with the same premise: You are here to win, and I expect you to be ready to practice and be locked in for Notre Dame every single time you come out here,” Kelly said.

The need to be locked in to earn a starting spot is highlighted by the offensive line.

Centers Dan Wenger, who missed time last week with concussion symptoms, and Braxston Cave are battling to start.

Both said the daily audition has helped motivate them.

“It has been a good battle,” Wenger said. “If I was dog tired, and there were days that I was, I’m going to keep fighting.”

Left guard Chris Stewart, a fifth-year senior who was limited at practice for a second day Wednesday with a neck injury, is getting pushed by sophomore Chris Watt, Kelly said.

“He is strong, physical and moves his feet well,” Kelly said of Watt.

There is also strong competition among the linebackers.

Sophomore Manti Te’o appears locked in at one starting inside spot, and Carlo Calabrese could start at the other inside spot.

Calabrese’s stock as a starter was strengthened by a knee injury that left Anthony McDonald doubtful for the season opener. And Steve Paskorz could also be hampered by a knee injury.

“He stepped wrong on the field,” Kelly said of Paskorz. “We won’t know anything until (the medical staff) gets their hands on him.”

Darius Fleming appears set as a starter at one outside linebacker position, but the other has revolved around Kerry Neal, the current projected starter, Brian Smith and Steve Filer, who were both looked at as starters at one time.

“Brian has shown a fight in him that being second is not where he wants to be,” Kelly said. “That is a positive thing for us and our football team.”

Receivers Duval Kamara and TJ Jones look as if they will split time at an outside spot with Michael Floyd and Theo Riddick looking set as starters.

At running back, Cierre Wood jumped ahead of Robert Hughes and Jonas Gray to the No. 2 spot behind starter Armando Allen.

Notre Dame also has a strong rotation of safeties with Harrison Smith leading the way for Jamoris Slaughter, Zeke Motta and Dan McCarthy, Kelly said. Slaughter was limited at practice Wednesday with a groin injury.

“I think there are some guys that we already know, but there are a couple of areas that guys still have a chance to win before the Purdue football game,” Kelly said.

Notre Dame is also trying to settle an eligibility issue with freshman linebacker Justin Utupo.

Kelly said he filled out paperwork for the NCAA on the Lakewood (Calif.) High School product on Wednesday.

“We are making the type of progress that we can feel confident that we are going to be able to get this thing done,” Kelly said.

tkrausz@jg.net