Clemson’s win over Florida State gave the Tigers a needed boost, but it also came with a heavy injury toll that is now reshaping the depth chart heading into Syracuse.
Dabo Swinney addressed the situation Monday night during his weekly Tiger Hour, and the list of unavailable players is a significant one. Guard Elyjah Thurmon, who was injured on the field and taken to Florida State University Hospital, is expected to miss a chunk of time because of a neck injury.
Center Harris Sewell is also sidelined after leaving the Seminoles game, and Swinney said he is “going to be out for a few weeks” after needing a minor surgery. Swinney added that the hope is to have Sewell back later this month.
That opens the door for true freshman Grant Wise to make the first start of his career at center against Syracuse. Swinney sounded confident in the young lineman’s readiness, pointing to the stage he has already handled.
“He’s played in big games,” he said. “He’s played on the road. He’s not a freshman anymore.”
Clemson is also making a change at running back. Starting back Gideon Davidson will miss the matchup, which pushes Jarvis Green into the starting role for the first time in his college career. Chris Johnson Jr., the SMU transfer, will back him up along with Jay Haynes.
The Tigers will also be without linebacker Kobe McCloud, who Swinney said is expected to miss a couple of weeks after suffering another injury against Florida State. McCloud has been rotating with senior Jeremiah Alexander at the second linebacker spot, and with McCloud out, former walk-on Fletcher Cothran should see an increased workload there.
Clemson enters the Syracuse game banged up, but still carrying the momentum from its Halloween night win in Doak Campbell Stadium. With young players now being asked to fill bigger roles, the Tigers will try to keep pushing toward a late run at the ACC Championship.
Kickoff is set for noon from the JMA Wireless Dome in upstate New York, and the game will air on ESPN2.
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