Notre Dame Fighting Irish

Notre Dame loses 2 DBs prior to facing Ohio State

Published Dec. 29, 2015 2:59 p.m. ET

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Two of Notre Dame's starting defensive backs will not be available when the Fighting Irish face Ohio State, coach Brian Kelly told reporters Tuesday in Arizona ahead of the Fiesta Bowl.

Safety Max Redfield has been sent home after violating team rules, while cornerback Devin Butler suffered a broken foot in practice, Kelly said.

Redfield is a junior who started 11 games each of the past two seasons. He had 64 tackles and three passes defended this season. 

Butler was already a former reserve in a starting role, having taken the place of KeiVarae Russell after the latter suffered a broken bone in his lower leg against Boston College in the next-to-last game of the regular season. 

Nick Watkins is expected to take Butler's place in the lineup opposite Cole Luke. 

The news means neither defense will be at full strength in the Fiesta Bowl. 

Ohio State will take the field without its normal starting tackles as All-America nose tackle Adolphus Washington is suspended and Tommy Schutt suffered a broken foot. 

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