Notre Dame defensive line Jarron Jones (94) tackles Northwestern running back Treyvon Green (22) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in South Bend, Ind., Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Notre Dame will be without three starters on defense for its regular season finale at USC on Saturday afternoon.

Head coach Brian Kelly announced Tuesday that defensive lineman Jarron Jones and safety Drue Tranquill suffered season-ending injuries in the Fighting Irish’s loss to Louisville. Jones, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound junior, suffered a Lisfranc injury in his foot that requires a 4-6 month recovery process.

Jones has started all 11 games for Notre Dame this season, registering 40 total tackles and 1.5 sacks. He is also tied for the team lead in tackles for loss with 7.5.

In addition to Jones, Kelly said that Tranquill, a true freshman, tore an ACL. The 6-foot-1, 225-pound Tranquill has played in all 11 games for the Fighting Irish, but recently entered the starting lineup for three of the last four games. In all, Tranquill has 33 total tackles, one tackle for loss, one interception and a half sack on the season.

Finally, redshirt sophomore defensive lineman Sheldon Day will miss his second straight game due to a knee sprain. Day started the first 10 games of the season and had 38 tackles – 7.5 for loss – and one sack. Unlike Jones and Tranquill, Kelly expects to have the 6-foot-2, 285-pound Day back for the team’s bowl game.

After starting the season 6-0, the Notre Dame dropped the fourth of its last five games against Louisville. Now 7-4, the Fighting Irish will look to return to the win column against the 19th-ranked Trojans at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Saturday.

For more Notre Dame news, visit IrishIllustrated.com.

- - - - - - -

Sam Cooper is a contributor for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!

Follow @SamDCooper