The latest on Cade Klubnik’s injury status before Clemson-Duke game
On Thursday night, Clemson football provided its first formal injury update on starting quarterback Cade Klubnik heading into the Duke game.
Clemson listed Klubnik (ankle) as probable on its first mandatory ACC availability report before Saturday’s home game vs. the Blue Devils (noon, ACC Network). That’s a good sign the Tigers expect Klubnik to play this week.
The ACC defines probable as “likely to play; greater than 50% chance.” In four instances where a Clemson player was listed as probable on an initial conference availability report, the player played in that week’s game all four times.
Clemson (3-4, 2-3 ACC) needs to win three of its last five games to become bowl eligible. The Tigers are favored by 2.5 points against Duke (4-3, 3-1 ACC).
Klubnik, the Tigers’ senior starting quarterback, rolled his ankle during an Oct. 4 win at Boston College. He missed Clemson’s next game (an Oct. 11 home loss to SMU) and was replaced by backup quarterback Christopher Vizzina.
Clemson had its second bye week last week and did not play a game, giving Klubnik more recovery time. This Saturday will mark three weeks since his injury.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Wednesday that Klubnik had been able to practice “a good amount” during Clemson’s Tuesday and Wednesday night practices.
“He’s getting better each day,” Swinney said. “Proud of him.”
Klubnik has thrown for 255 yards per game in six starts this season and has 1,530 passing yards and 11 touchdowns against five interceptions (as well as one lost fumble). He’d started 34 straight games dating back to 2022 before SMU.
Vizzina, a redshirt sophomore, had a solid debut in relief of Klubnik and would be in line to start again if Klubnik cannot play vs. Duke. Vizzina was 29 of 42 for 317 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions against SMU and was the first Clemson QB to throw for three-plus TDs in his first start since Deshaun Watson.
But Vizzina did lose a fumble against SMU, and much of his production came in the second half. Clemson had just seven points across its first nine offensive possessions against SMU and zero points on five first-quarter possessions.
“He was confident before, but there’s nothing like experience,” Swinney said of Vizzina. “And not only experience, but positive experience, to kind of reinforce what you’ve been doing and what you think you can do. ... He’s had a good week as well.”
This story was originally published October 30, 2025 at 8:01 PM.
