Dabo Swinney reveals progression for Will Shipley, status still day-to-day

In Week 10, the Clemson Tigers will take on No. 14 ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish as they try to stay above .500 on the season. But Clemson may have to take the field on Saturday without the services of their star running back, Will Shipley.

Shipley was knocked out of the Tigers’ 24-17 road loss to the NC State WolfPack in week 9. And as Clemson gears up for this critical home contest against Notre Dame, head coach Dabo Swinney provided a status update on Shipley, revealing how he has fared during their week of preparation.

“He has made he has made some good progress,” said Swinney. “So we’re very encouraged by that, and (he’s) definitely still day-to-day from a status standpoint.”

Shipley left the game against North Carolina State after a scary collision at the goal line, which left him motionless on the turf momentarily. Afterward, he was able to get up and walk off the field. However, he would not return to the game. Shipley’s day finished with six carries for 21 yards.

But now that it appears that his injury suffered on Saturday was not anything significant, what does Swinney need to see in order to let his star running back suit up and take the field against Notre Dame?

“The medical people gotta say he’s good to go. I mean, that’s really it. I don’t get involved in that stuff.

“They have protocols in place and metrics; they’ve got all kinds of stuff that you have to go through to be cleared to get back to play. So that’s where it is; what has to happen is they got to clear him, and that’s up to them, said Swinney.”

Shipley, along with the rest of the Clemson offense, is having a down year this season. So far this year, he has 112 carries for 515 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry and three rushing touchdowns. Shipley may be able to match his total number of carries from last season at 210. However, as it currently stands, he has a pretty significant uphill battle to eclipse 1182 yards, 15 rushing touchdowns, or the average of 5.6 yards per carry.

This is the first time in over a decade that Clemson has been at .500 so late in the season. The last time this phenomenon occurred was 13 years ago, in 2010. That year, the Tigers finished the regular season 6-6 with a 4-4 ACC record. Clemson would finish the year 6-7 following a 31-26 loss to South Florida in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.