Clemson’s win at Florida State may have come with a price.
The Tigers left Tallahassee with a 36-24 victory, and they may have also left with a roster that looks a lot thinner heading into Saturday afternoon’s trip to Syracuse. Starting left guard Elyjah Thurmon is in concussion protocol, and Dabo Swinney said Monday that the situation does not call for rushing him back after last Saturday night’s scary moment.
Thurmon is not the only concern. Swinney also said starting center Harris Sewell will undergo minor surgery and should miss a few weeks. Linebacker Kobe McCloud is expected to be out for a few weeks as well, and Gideon Davidson may not be available against Syracuse either.
That leaves Clemson staring at a potentially different-looking lineup on Saturday. The Tigers could be without Thurmon at left guard, Sewell at center, Davidson at running back and McCloud on defense, a stretch that would force other players into bigger roles. Swinney put it plainly: “Some other guys are gonna need to step up”
The timing, at least, gives Clemson a little breathing room. Syracuse and Georgia Tech are next on the schedule, and neither matchup carries the same level of danger as what waits later.
Syracuse has shown improvement with Steve Angeli at quarterback, but the Orange also opened ACC play in an 0-4 hole. If Clemson handles business there, the Tigers will then host Georgia Tech, which is the worst team in the ACC.
If the injuries linger, Clemson’s depth chart could shift in a few spots. Grant Wise is the likely next man up at center, Gavin Blanchard could slide in at left guard, and Jarvis Green and Chris Johnson Jr. may see more work if Davidson can’t go. That also puts more on Tait Reynolds, who is coming off what may have been his best game of the season.
Reynolds needs to build on that performance, not slip backward. Clemson has protected the ball much better lately, but Syracuse has been playing better football of late and Georgia Tech is a desperate rival. The Tigers should still have a path to winning both games, though Duke and South Carolina are a different story entirely.
Duke is still in the hunt to reach Charlotte at 6-2, and even if the Blue Devils do not repeat in the ACC, they still have Nate Sheppard, one of the best running backs in the country. South Carolina, meanwhile, has Shane Beamer riding high after having his back against the wall. The Gamecocks are now ranked and looking to be a problem for every good team they face the rest of the season.
For Clemson, the silver lining is simple: these injuries arrived before that two-game stretch, not during it.
In Other News...
Clemson Just Landed A Specialist Who Signals Something Bigger
A familiar recruiting win came together quickly for Clemson when in-state kicker Noah Hardy committed after receiving an offer from Dabo Swinney. Hardy had been looking at other programs, but the visit to a game changed the feel of the process, and the Tigers were able to close the deal almost right away. For a program that has long valued special teams as part of its overall identity, landing a specialist from home always carries a little extra weight.
Hardys decision also reflects more than just a scholarship offer. He has built strong relationships with Clemsons coaches, and he made it clear he is eager to compete while learning from current kicker Nolan Hauser. For Clemson, the commitment adds another layer to a class that continues to take shape, and it hints at the kind of internal competition Swinney likes to foster even at a position where patience and development matter as much as raw talent. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Heads To Syracuse With Another Big Receiver Concern
Clemson heads to Syracuse with another layer of uncertainty on offense, and this one centers on Tyler Brown. The wide receiver is listed as questionable for the Nov. 7 matchup, adding to a group of Tigers offensive starters already ruled out as the team tries to sort through its availability heading into a road game with real ACC implications.
Syracuse has its own injury questions to manage, with multiple players on both sides of the ball, including quarterbacks and defensive linemen, showing up as questionable or doubtful. The result is a report that leaves both staffs waiting on final availability, with Clemson especially interested in how much firepower it can count on if Brown is limited or unavailable. [Read more 🡒]
Tait Reynolds And Clemson's Pass Rush Bring Real Momentum To Syracuse
Clemson is heading into its road trip to Syracuse with a little more rhythm on offense and a little more bite up front, two developments Dabo Swinney pointed to as he updated the teams status this week. The Tigers have gone three straight games without a turnover, and Swinney said quarterback Tait Reynolds is playing with more confidence and making better decisions as the offense settles in.
There is still a personnel note hanging over the week, though, with wide receiver Cole Turner remaining with the team but not practicing for personal reasons. On the other side of the ball, Swinney sounded encouraged by the defensive lines recent work, praising the pass rush and the technique behind it as Clemson looks to carry that momentum into a tricky road test. [Read more 🡒]