Dabo Swinney updates Xavier Thomas’ status after Clemson football loss to Miami
A Clemson football starter missed Saturday’s game against Miami due to an undisclosed violation of team rules, coach Dabo Swinney said.
Swinney said postgame that defensive end Xavier Thomas didn’t travel for the team’s 28-20 double overtime loss at Miami and was out because of a violation of team rules. He twice declined to elaborate further on the situation.
“He was out, had something pop up over the week, a violation of team rules,” Swinney said. “So he was out. He’ll be back on Monday. We definitely could’ve used him, for sure. But he’ll be back Monday and ready to go against N.C. State.”
Swinney’s comments confirmed reports earlier Saturday from from TigerIllustrated and TigerNet that Thomas’ absence isn’t injury-related and he was expected to miss one game (the Miami game).
Based on Swinney’s timeline, Thomas will return for the Tigers’ Oct. 28 game at N.C. State. That’s Clemson’s last road game before a three-game homestand against Notre Dame, Georgia Tech and UNC.
Thomas had started all six games for Clemson (4-3, 2-3 ACC) and had 13 total tackles, three tackles for loss and two sacks leading into Saturday. The former five-star recruit from Florence is in his sixth season with the program.
With Thomas out against Miami, veteran defensive end Justin Mascoll and true freshman defensive end T.J. Parker saw increased snap counts in Saturday’s loss at Hard Rock Stadium.
During his Sunday teleconference with reporters, Swinney further addressed Thomas’ undisclosed off-field situation and said it was “disappointing that we had to deal with it.” Thomas has been a captain and veteran leader for the program.
“You want your best players out there,” Swinney said. “But it is what it is. We’ve got rules and consequences for those rules. But he’ll be back tomorrow. We’ll get him back going. That (missing the Miami game) was his consequence.”
Next Clemson game
Who: Clemson (4-3, 2-3 ACC) at N.C. State (4-3, 1-2 ACC)
When: 2 p.m. Saturday
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh
TV: The CW
This story was originally published October 21, 2023 at 5:49 PM.
