Report: Injury update on DJ Uiagalelei revealed for Cheez-It Bowl

When Clemson takes the field in the Cheez-It Bowl Wednesday night, DJ Uiagalelei will likely be under center. He’ll have some support on his leg, though.

Prior to the game, Uiagalelei was sporting a knee brace just as he did in the last three games of the season. However, it looks like he’ll be good to go, according to KCRG’s Jack Lido.

As expected, Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei appears to be ready to roll with a brace on his right knee. pic.twitter.com/bRJR0axSOC

— Jack Lido (@JackLido) December 29, 2021

Uiagalelei suffered the injury in Clemson’s Nov. 6 win over Louisville and wore the brace the rest of the season. The Tigers won their last three games to become bowl eligible and set up a matchup with Iowa State in the Cheez-It Bowl.

This year, Uiagalelei completed 54.7% of his passes for 2,059 yards, nine touchdowns and eight interceptions in 12 games for Clemson.

Kickoff for the game is coming up Wednesday at 5:45 p.m. ET on ESPN.

DJ Uiagalelei provides health update ahead of of Cheez-It-Bowl

D.J. Uiagalelei’s first year as Clemson’s starting quarterback has not quite gone as planned, with Clemson managing to go just 9-3 and Uiagalelei not quite living up to expectations as the heir to Trevor Lawrence.

Still, Clemson — which salvaged its season to the tune of five-straight wins to end the year, plus a renewed No. 19 ranking in the AP Top 25, which the Tigers failed to make the cut for several weeks prior — has a chance to end on a high note, with an upcoming Cheez-It Bowl matchup against Iowa State. If Uiagalelei hopes to contribute to a bowl victory, however, he’ll have to do it while operating at a deficit of sorts.

Uiagalelei sustained a sprained knee injury in the first half of a 30-24 win over Louisville, forcing the former five-star signal caller to wear a knee brace for Clemson’s last three regular-season games. Then, in addition to his knee problems, Uiagalelei wore a splint on the index finger of his throwing hand, as head coach Dabo Swinney previously said he is nursing a tendon issue in his finger. Uiagalelei made it seem like he’s more than healthy enough to play, sure — but he’s nowhere near 100 percent.

“I feel like right now, I’m healthy,” Uiagalelei said Sunday. “But of course, I won’t be completely healthy. But I’ll be perfectly fine to be able to go out there and play the game to my full ability. Eventually, in the offseason, I’ll get more healthier and get 100 percent. But right now, I’m feeling perfectly fine.”

He’s looked nothing like the quarterback he appeared to be in limited time last season, but Uiagalelei has still helped Clemson turn around its season.