CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Swinney on Watson:
Watson has had to recover from two significant injuries since October

Swinney on Watson: "I think he's got a good chance to play"


by - Staff Writer -

CLEMSON – The Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA

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News Network was back in full swing Wednesday evening as the media met with head coach Dabo Swinney Dabo Swinney
Head Coach
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for the last time before Saturday’s showdown with South Carolina.

Watson went from a green to a purple jersey Tuesday, and Swinney said Wednesday evening that he is encouraged by Watson’s progress and there is a chance that he could see some playing time Saturday afternoon.

“Good practice. We've got kind of last Wednesday. We'll have a Wednesday type practice at some bowl site somewhere,” Swinney said after Wednesday’s practice. “I think we've had good practices this week. I like the guys' demeanor and their focus and sense of urgency. I know y’all are going to ask about Deshaun and I thought he was better today than he was yesterday. Just like I've been saying, he's kind of getting better each day. I thought he was more confident today than he was yesterday.

“Tomorrow is another important day for us from a preparation standpoint, but I think he's got a good chance to play. How much or when? We haven't decided that yet but I definitely think he has a chance to play. I'll tell you this - they both have had a good week from a preparation standpoint from being mentally dialed in. Cole has had a great week. He's probably has his best week in quite a while. I think we're well prepared and we'll play a good game. Hopefully, Deshuan, by Saturday, is ready to go, but if not Cole StoudtCole Stoudt
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 231
Dublin, OH

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is.”

Swinney said that the coaches haven’t made any sort of decision on Watson and will wait to see how the freshman is during Thursday’s practice.

“We haven't made any type of decision,” Swinney said. “I feel like after three days that he's got a chance. We'll decide here in the next day or so. Tomorrow's a big day. He's really gotten better every day. Part of it is him just getting more comfortable with his brace that he's wearing. He's never worn a brace so that's kind of a different thing, too. We'll see him tomorrow and we'll sit down and watch the tape and evaluate what we think gives us the best chance to win the ballgame. I think we're in better shape this week than we were last week.”

Watson was able to take a few first team snaps Wednesday.

“He got a few today but today was the first day that he got any first team snaps,” Swinney said. “He's mostly taken second team reps. We really want to just evaluate him but make sure that we have the continuity like we need with all of the other guys. There's really not anything else to say other than we'll watch the tape and come back out here tomorrow. I'm encouraged. I think there's a chance but how much, when? I don't know.”

If Watson is unable to play, Swinney said that he likes where senior quarterback Cole Stoudt is both mentally and physically.

“Just throwing the ball with a lot of confidence,” Swinney said. “He's really done well in all of our competitive stuff. It's been one of his better weeks from a competitive standpoint - our team pass and our skelly. He's just got a poise to him that I like this week. He's been very accurate with the ball and that's encouraging. He's taken pretty much all of the first team reps this week and done well.”

Other notes

Injury news

*Swinney said that center Jay GuillermoJay Guillermo
RS So. Center
#57 6-3, 314
Maryville, TN

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is available to play Saturday but Ryan NortonRyan Norton
RS Jr. Offensive Line
#58 6-3, 292
Simpsonville, SC

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will get the start.

*Left tackle Isaiah BattleIsaiah Battle
Jr. Offensive Tackle
#79 6-7, 285
Brooklyn, NY

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was in a green jersey and Swinney said that Battle wasn’t injured, but something that he ate earlier in the day made him sick.

*Corner Martin JenkinsMartin Jenkins
RS Sr. Cornerback
#14 5-9, 185
Roswell, GA

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probably won’t be able to play in his final home game due to a foot injury but should be available for the bowl game, according to Swinney.

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Subject (Replies: 33) Author
spacer New Story: Swinney on Watson: "I think he's got a good chance to play"
TigerNet News®
spacer Re: New Story: Swinney on Watson: "I think he's got a good chance to play"
Tiger Woods
spacer Re: New Story: Swinney on Watson: "I think he's got a good chance to play"
CFBengal
spacer I think if Cole starts
Bryanttiger®
spacer If Watson is that capable of playing, WHY ON EARTH
MDT1GER
spacer Re: If Watson is that capable of playing, WHY ON EARTH
catbird1776
spacer Meaningless game???
Pawsitive Force®
spacer Re: Meaningless game???
allorangeallthetime52®
spacer Re: Meaningless game???
catbird1776
spacer Re: If Watson is that capable of playing, WHY ON EARTH
hazer
spacer Re: If Watson is that capable of playing, WHY ON EARTH
catbird1776
spacer Dont be an idiot
Pawsitive Force®
spacer Re: Dont be an idiot
Lonnie Utah
spacer Re: Dont be an idiot
MaukaTiger®
spacer If Watson is cleared by the DR's, then what is Dabo suppose
Bryanttiger®
spacer Re: If Watson is that capable of playing, WHY ON EARTH
clemson7024
spacer Re: If Watson is that capable of playing, WHY ON EARTH
Lonnie Utah
spacer Re: If Watson is that capable of playing, WHY ON EARTH
Tigerdrafted
spacer Do you really think Dabo starts Cole if DW is ready to play?
Tigerdrafted
spacer waah-wah, waah-wah-wah-waaaah...
TonyTiger®
spacer I wouldn't, just saying that may be the case
Bryanttiger®
spacer Re: New Story: Swinney on Watson: "I think he's got a good chance to play"
ziggy_1118
spacer Agree!
CootTamer
spacer Yep, cause he is a physical guy
Bryanttiger®
spacer They should just name it the Martin Jenkins report. Poor guy
Daredevil
spacer Re: They should just name it the Martin Jenkins report. Poor guy
lead tiger
spacer Re: They should just name it the Martin Jenkins report. Poor guy
1988NC
spacer poor cooter fans arent going to know what hit 'em
clemson7024
spacer Re: New Story: Swinney on Watson: "I think he's got a good chance to play"
I bleed orange
spacer Re: New Story: Swinney on Watson: "I think he's got a good chance to play"
mabman2004
spacer I think he's got a good chance to play"
tigersincepell®
spacer Cole was GREAT!!! again according to Dabo
Tigerdrafted
spacer Re: New Story: Swinney on Watson: "I think he's got a good chance to play"
ptctiger93
spacer Why would it matter which QB ends up starting to Spurrier
milkingoatswithjehnir