Marcus Freeman provides Jack Kiser, Brandon Joseph injury updates

Notre Dame has won four straight games to improve to 7-3 on the season, looking to close on a high note. A number of bumps and bruises could factor into that, and coach Marcus Freeman provided Jack Kiser and Brandon Joseph injury updates on Monday.

Joseph missed the team’s game against Navy last weekend with a high-ankle sprain, while Kiser suffered an ankle injury during the contest.

“Yeah, Jack was an ankle sprain. He didn’t practice yesterday but I expect him to be back in practice tomorrow,” Freeman explained. “Brandon Joseph’s still questionable. It’s just those high ankles, how fast they recover. He didn’t practice yesterday, but we’ll see tomorrow how he feels.”

A linebacker, Kiser is the team’s second-leading tackler this season. He has recorded 45 tackles, 3.5 tackles, 1.5 sacks, a blocked kick and a quarterback hurry while playing in all 10 games.

If he misses any significant time it would be a big blow for the defense.

Meanwhile, Joseph is a safety who has played in every game this season but last weekend against Navy. He has accounted for 27 tackles, an interception, a forced fumble, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry.

Jack Kiser, Brandon Joseph injury bear monitoring

Notre Dame’s defense has been fairly stout this season but the loss of two of its top playmakers for any extended period of time would certainly take a toll.

The Fighting Irish currently rank No. 26 nationally in total defense (332.0 yards per game allowed), No. 27 in passing defense (193.8 yards per game), No. 40 in scoring defense (22.3 points per game allowed) and No. 53 in run defense (138.2 yards per game).

Getting Jack Kiser or Brandon Joseph back from injury quickly would go a long way toward keeping those figures trending in the right direction.

Notre Dame is set to host Boston College on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBC before traveling to No. 8 USC in the season finale.