NOTRE DAME — Notre Dame was spared what would have been another devastating blow to its secondary.

Starting cornerback KeiVarae Russell had suffered a head injury during Saturday’s game against Boston College, but head coach Brian Kelly said the freshman has passed all necessary tests and has been cleared to practice Tuesday.

Had Russell been more seriously injured, he would have been the third starting defensive back — alongside Jamoris Slaughter and Lo Wood — to be lost for the season.

Nose guard Louis Nix will not miss any game time for his ejection late in the game against Boston College. Kelly said Nix was disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct but, under rule, will not have to sit out against Wake Forest this week.

“I think the big fellas were grinding on each other all game, and it seemed to get a little personal in there,” Kelly had said during a Sunday teleconference. “But certainly we talked to Louis, and he understands that he’s got to control his emotions.”

Meanwhile, receiver DaVaris Daniels has less happy news.

Daniels broke his clavicle against the Eagles and will be lost the final two games of the regular season. Kelly expects Daniels to be back in time for the bowl game, though.

Kelly said senior receiver John Goodman will be called upon to fill in for Daniels against Wake Forest and USC.

Though Goodman hasn’t statistically met the the hype surrounding his recruitment four years ago, Kelly said the senior is a valuable teammate.

“The guy is great in the locker room,” Kelly said during a Tuesday press conference. “Upbeat, positive guy. Guys like be to be around him.”