Will Shipley carted to locker room after injuring left leg on sensational 4Q kick return

Clemson running back Will Shipley left Friday’s Gator Bowl game vs. Kentucky in the fourth quarter with what appeared to be a left leg injury.

Shipley went down on a long kickoff return. He was eventually helped to the sideline and then taken to the locker room on a cart.

The junior had 11 carries for 29 yards, prior to leaving the game. He was injured following a 60-yard kickoff return. You can watch the play below:

THE FLOODGATES HAVE OPENED pic.twitter.com/88aKOcnYzi

— Mr Matthew CFB (@MrMatthew_CFB) December 29, 2023

Despite being without Will Shipley late, Clemson still found a way to win. Fellow junior running back Phil Mafah rushed for four touchdowns against the Wildcats, including one in the final seconds, which proved to be the game winner.

Shipley entered Friday’s Gator Bowl with 798 rushing yards and five touchdowns. He also had 31 catches for 244 yards and two scores.

The North Carolina native signed with Clemson as a four-star recruit and the No. 36 overall player in the country in the class of 2021, according to the On3 Industry rankings.

He has had an excellent career so far at Clemson, including earning first-team All-ACC honors at three different positions in 2022. It remains to be seen if Will Shipley will return to school for one more year.

Will Shipley plans to make decision on future after bowl game

Will Shipley has yet to announce his plans for the 2024 season. Shipley said ahead of the Gator Bowl that he was only concerned with beating Kentucky.

“With where I am at this point in the process, it’s either to move on to the next level, being the NFL, or staying back and continuing to be a Clemson Tiger,” Shipley said. “Transferring is just not something that my family and I think we represent as a family.”

Some hoped Shipley would make his decision before the Gator Bowl. Nevertheless, the Clemson running back shed some light on the situation, elaborating on the fact that he’s planning on making his decision after the final whistle.

“I think for me, the most important thing is finishing this season on a strong note, not for me and whatever decision I make, but for guys like Tyler and guys like Put. They’ve put their life and everything they have into this program. My number one priority is sending them off on the right note,” Shipley said. “In terms of my decision, kind of where I’m at, I think finishing this game, being able to go home with family, just discuss with them, talk through everything. Look at all the components and all the factors and be able to make a smart, thorough decision.

“As I said, the number one important thing to me right now is this game tomorrow at noon, sending these boys off to my left on the right note.”