Clemson starter could miss opener against Furman with injury

Clemson could be without a starter on offense Saturday afternoon for its season opener against Furman.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney announced during Wednesday’s ACC teleconference that tight end Milan Richard is banged up with a knee injury, and he is unsure if Richard will be able to suit up. Richard injured his knee during preseason camp.

The senior started all 14 games last season and finished with 18 receptions for 210 yards and a touchdown.

Cornerback Mark Fields, who also banged up his knee during the preseason, is expected to be ready to go.

“Milan is really much improved. He kind of banged his knee up a week or so ago. He and Mark. Mark looks great,” Swinney said. “Milan is still getting better each day. I think there’s a possibility he will be able to go on Saturday. Hopefully, he will be able to play. It’s not anything serious or anything like that. My hope is that he can go.”

Reserve offensive lineman Noah DeHond is the only other player of note who is banged up, according to Swinney.

“The only other guy that I think right now is Noah Dehand,” Swinney said. “He’s probably going to be limited this week, nothing serious with him either. That’s really it as far as guys on the two-deep.”

Richard has been battling with junior Garrett Williams for the starting tight end job. The two are listed as co-starters on the depth chart.

Swinney said earlier this week that Williams has been great in the spring and during preseason camp after missing last year with a torn ACL.

“He had one of the best springs, and so really camp was just kind of a reflection of what he did in the spring,” Swinney said. “He showed up in the spring and it’s really carried over into the summer. He’s had an awesome camp. Milan got banged up last week or whatever, hopefully he’ll be able to go this week, but either way that’s a reflection of the great work Garrett has put in.”

Pleasant surprise

Swinney was asked about defensive linemen Christian Wilkins, Clelin Ferrell and Austin Bryant deciding to return to school for another season and shared that he was expecting Wilkins to turn pro before receiving a pleasant surprise.

“I thought of the three D-linemen, Austin, Christian and Cle, I thought there was a good chance two came back, I thought one of them for sure. I didn’t think Christian would come back simply because he just graduated last December,” Swinney said. “He kind of messed with me, called me on the phone, talked about how much he loved Clemson, how great it’s been, appreciated everything, setting you up like he’s getting ready to leave. Then he said, ‘But that’s why I’m going to stay another year.’”

Freshman ready

Kicker B.T. Potter was an under-the-radar recruit for Clemson in 2018, but he is ready to help the Tigers this season.

Swinney announced Tuesday that Potter won the kickoff specialist job, beating out returners Greg Huegel and Alex Spence.

“It’s not close. It’s just that simple. It’s like when Sammy Watkins came in here. It wasn’t close. He’s got it. I don’t even know how he generates that type of power with that body, but he’s just powerful. It is just amazing to watch him kick the ball. I’ve never seen him live in game situations, but that was a pretty easy decision,” Swinney said. “Even when (Potter) mis-hits it, he still nails it. Hopefully, he doesn’t go out there and shank one right out of the gate, young guy, but yeah we’re going to throw him out there. He’s a weapon. That’s why recruited him. We gave him an opportunity to compete, and he won the job. Beat out a senior.”

This story was originally published August 29, 2018 at 3:21 PM.