Clemson defensive lineman out multiple weeks with injury

Clemson defensive lineman Tyler Davis is out for 7-8 weeks and will have surgery to repair a torn tendon in his bicep that was suffered in the Tigers’ 14-8 win over Georgia Tech, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney announced his radio call-in show.

Swinney also announced that Clemson running back Lyn-J Dixon is entering the transfer portal.

Davis missed Clemson’s season opening loss to Georgia after testing positive for COVID-19. Since that game, Tyler Davis has played in Clemson’s win over SC State and Georgia Tech. Davis recorded eight total tackles in two appearances.

Tyler Davis was a second-team All-ACC selection as a true freshman after earning a starting role in his first career game. Davis went on to start 13 of 15 games as a freshman, recording 51 tackles, nine tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Davis started seven games for Clemson last season, recording 17 tackles five tackles for loss, two sacks and a pass breakup.

With Tyler Davis out for an extended period, third-year sophomore Ruke Orhorhoro and second-year freshman Tre Williams are expected to get the bulk of Davis’ snaps at defensive tackle for the Tigers.

Clemson’s other starting defensive tackle, sophomore Bryan Bresee, is playing through a shoulder injury.

In addition to the news that Tyler Davis is out for an extended time, Clemson’s running back room will lose another talented running back for the second time in this calendar year. Senior Lyn-J Dixon has entered the transfer portal, Swinney announced on his call-in show. 

Swinney has been open throughout the fall about how Dixon and first-year running backs coach C.J. Spiller have struggled to be on the same page. Through three games, he has only carried the ball 10 times. He had plenty of opportunities to leave before this year as he patiently waited his turn behind C.J. Spiller. 

Dixon is the second upperclassmen Clemson back to enter the portal; Chez Mellusi transferred to Wisconsin in the spring.

A former four-star recruit, Dixon leaves Clemson having garnered 218 career carries for 1,420 yards and 13 touchdowns. Since he never took a redshirt in his four seasons with the Tigers and has only played in three games this season, he will be eligible to play next season. 

With Dixon off to the transfer portal, Clemson has just three scholarship running backs on the roster. Freshman Will Shipley will look to take a bigger role, having already rushed 33 times for 175 yards and four touchdowns. In Clemson’s win over Georgia Tech, the former five-star rushed 21 times for 88 yards and two touchdowns, adding two receptions for six yards.