The No. 4 ranked Clemson Tigers received what could potentially be some good news on the Trevor Lawrence injury front. The quarterback suffered what appeared to be a concussion in Saturday’s thrilling win over Syracuse.
The scene itself was worrisome, especially given that Kelly Bryant, the team’s starting quarterback to open the season, has decided to transfer. The good news? Clemson offensive coordinator Jeff Scott noted that the program beleives Lawrence suffered a neck strain, not a concussion in the game. He could return to practice as early as Monday.
“The medical staff sees a lot of positive signs and everything is tracking the right way,” Scott said, via ESPN. “There’s a chance he’ll be able to practice [Monday]. They’re going to let him lift and go through their protocol they have. But they’ve been very optimistic, and they’re kind of finding out it’s more of a neck strain, with the way he got hit, so that’s good news. But no final decision has been made on that.”
That’s some great news heading into this week’s road date against ACC foe Wake Forest. In Lawrence’s stead, freshman Chase Brice led the Tigers to a thrilling comeback win. But he’s even more inexperienced than Lawrence and doesn’t come with the same recruiting pedigree.
Given that Wake is a less-than-stellar opponent, there’s a chance that Dabo Swinney and Co. decide to take it slow with Lawrence. Clemson has a bye following this week and will take on a ranked North Carolina State squad on Oct. 20.