Dabo Swinney provides update on Trenton Simpson, other Clemson injuries

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney provided an update on several injured players following Saturday night’s win over Louisville.

The Tigers were without starting linebacker Trenton Simpson, starting right guard Walker Parks and starting receiver Beaux Collins against the Cardinals.

Swinney is hopeful that Simpson and Parks will be back next week for Clemson’s game against Miami.

Simpson was out with an ankle injury on Saturday, while Parks was in concussion protocol.

“[Trenton] hopefully will be back this week. Just couldn’t go this week. Same with Walker,” Swinney said. “They were both close but not to the point they could go.”

As for Collins, he is unlikely to play for Clemson against Miami. Swinney believes he should be back against South Carolina for the rivalry game in two weeks. Collins suffered a shoulder injury last weekend against Notre Dame.

In addition to those three, receiver Will Taylor also missed the Louisville game. Taylor has a meniscus issue that will likely need to get cleaned up. He could miss a few weeks, according to Swinney.

With Simpson out, other players needed to step up defensively.

Fellow linebackers Barrett Carter and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. were up to the challenge.

Carter recorded 8 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks and an interception.

The sophomore is the first player in the nation to record 3.5 or more tackles for loss, 2.0 or more sacks and an interception in a game between two Power Five teams since 2011, according to Clemson SID Ross Taylor.

“Barrett Carter, wow. … It was an incredible day,” Swinney said.

Trotter led Clemson with 12 tackles and also had a forced fumble.

“I thought Trotter was outstanding, kind of being the quarterback in there,” Swinney said.

Clemson allowed Louisville to hang around for a bit but eventually finished off a 31-16 win over the Cardinals.

The Tigers had 9 tackles for loss and held Louisville to 3-for-14 on third down in the victory. Clemson also forced Louisville to turn the ball over on downs twice.

“It’s been a long week for our team and staff coming off some adversity,” Swinney said. “I love how they responded. They responded like champions do. I’m just really proud of the team.”