Dabo Swinney discusses injury issues with key players

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney knew he would have to replace a lot of offensive production this season. What he likely did not anticipate was coaching a team that has had 19 players miss multiple games and has lost double-digit players to season-ending injuries. 

For this weekend’s game against Florida State, there is both good and bad news on the injury front for the Tigers.

“Still not sure about Jake Venables,” Swinney said Tuesday. “I’d say he’s probably going to be close, but we may not know for sure until game time on him.”

Venables has not played this year because of a hamstring injury. His season was cut short last year after breaking his arm in early December. 

Tigers short another offensive weapon on Saturday

While the son of the defensive coordinator is trending in the right direction, Clemson will be without a top offensive weapon against the Seminoles.

“We’re going to lose another guy this week,” Swinney said. “Unfortunately, Kobe Pace is going to be out. He’s going to be in COVID protocol, so we’ll have to go without him. Thankful that we got Shipley back last week. We’ll go with the two freshmen and Rencher will be our three running backs going into the game.”

Pace, a 5-foot-10, 215-pound sophomore, leads the team in rushing yardage with 59 carries for 327 yards. True freshman Will Shipley leads the scoring efforts despite missing two games before returning against Pittsburgh last weekend.

Phil Mafah is the other true freshman to which Swinney is referring. On 20 carries in his rookie season, Mafah has 102 yards and a touchdown. Darien Rencher, a senior with just four rush attempts this season, will be the other back.

Almost always optimistic, Swinney concluded his injury comments with some positivity. 

“It’s just been kind of a crazy year from some of those challenges but excited to see those other guys take advantage of the opportunity,” he added.

Clemson is still looking for a player on the offensive side of the ball to break out. The Tigers remain the worst offense in the ACC, and they have yet to score more than 19 points in regulation. Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei has thrown more interceptions than touchdown passes.

Former head coach Tommy Bowden will be in the building on Saturday as the Tigers honor his late father and legendary Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden.

The game between the 3-4 Seminoles and the 4-3 Tigers kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. Clemson is a 9.5-point favorite as of Wednesday morning.