Veteran Clemson defender out for season
.JPG "Clemson defensive end Justin Foster")
Clemson defensive lineman Justin Foster is out for the year, head coach Dabo Swinney announced on Sunday evening.
Foster, who was back this season after dealing with COVID-19 complications in 2020, has been battling a lower back injury. The redshirt senior had a couple of epidurals in his back, but they haven’t helped, so Foster will have to have surgery to “alleviate the problem,” Swinney said.
“That’s a tough situation for us,” he added. “You do this long enough, You’re playing, coaching or whatever, you’re going to have some crazy years. This has been a crazy year for us.”
Foster has been in and out of the lineup all year, recording five tackles in four games played.
The Tigers have now lost 14 players, 11 of which were due to season-ending injuries, including multiple offensive linemen; receiver Will Taylor (ACL); receiver Frank Ladson (groin); and defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (ACL). After Saturday night’s game against Pitt, the squad had 18 total scholarship players unavailable.
Offensive lineman Matt Bockhorst (ACL) and tight end Braden Galloway (shoulder) were injured in Saturday’s loss to Pitt.
Galloway’s separated shoulder injury is likely season-ending, Swinney said, with a slim chance the senior will be back at some point this season. The Tigers’ coach adds he hopes to get back wide reciever Joseph Ngata, who was out this week due to COVID-19 protocol, as well as fellow wide receiver E.J. Williams (knee), offensive lineman Hunter Rayburn (COVID-19 protocol) and linebacker Jake Venables (hamstring).
Clemson (4-3, 3-2 ACC) hosts Florida State at 3:30 p.m. this Saturday. The game will be televised on ESPN.
This story was originally published October 24, 2021 at 6:14 PM.
