CLEMSON — Clemson running back Will Shipley will not play against Notre Dame on Saturday. He is one of eight Tigers who will miss the game. Five are new injuries.
Shipley has been in concussion protocol since taking a hit to the head and neck area in the second quarter of Clemson’s most recent game at NC State. Coach Dabo Swinney said this week Shipley was “day-to-day,” but before kickoff against Notre Dame (7-2) on Saturday (noon, ABC), Shipley was ruled out.
Shipley is Clemson’s leading rusher this season with 515 yards on 112 carries in eight games. With him out, Clemson (4-4) will turn to junior Phil Mafah for the bulk of the carries. Mafah has 439 yards and six touchdowns on 73 carries.
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Swinney said redshirt junior Domonique Thomas would move up to RB2. He has appeared in eight games, four on offense, with 74 yards on 11 carries.
Despite pre-game rumors that he could miss the Notre Dame game, quarterback Cade Klubnik was on the field throwing during pregame warm-ups. His right leg was in a sleeve and his ankle was taped. He was not included in the list Clemson released of players who would miss the game.
Justin Mascoll will also be out for a second straight game. The sixth-year defensive end missed the NC State game with an undisclosed injury. Freshman T.J. Parker is the presumed starter in his place.
Wide receiver Antonio Williams is still out with a toe injury. He has missed five games this season with various injuries, and the Notre Dame game is his second straight to sit out.
The offensive line, which has already been playing without starting right guard Walker Parks for most of the season, will be down another starter: left guard Marcus Tate.
The defensive backfield is also down four players: Starting safeties Jalyn Phillips and R.J. Mickens will not play against Notre Dame. Mickens is missing a second straight game while recovering from an appendectomy. Phillips’ injury is undisclosed. Starting corner Sheridan Jones is also out with an unspecified injury, as is sophomore safety Sherrod Covil Jr.
Christina Long covers the Clemson Tigers for the Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. You can follow her on Twitter @christinalong00 or email her at [email protected].
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