Swinney says Watson will be ready to play against Wake

Watson broke a bone in his throwing hand against Louisville

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Tue Nov 04 12:34:34 GMT-04:00 2014

CLEMSON – Dabo Swinney Dabo Swinney
Head Coach
View Full Profile doesn’t intend to put Deshaun Watson Deshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA
View Full Profile in Thursday’s game against Wake Forest, but if the game is on the line, Clemson’s head coach won’t think twice about inserting the freshman quarterback.

The true freshman appeared in six games and was 75-for-112 for 1,176 yards and 12 touchdowns on the season with another 147 yards on the ground before going down with a broken hand in the first quarter of the Louisville game.

Watson missed the remainder of the Louisville game, a road game at Boston College and the Homecoming game against Syracuse. In his absence, Clemson's offense has scored just three touchdowns in the last 12 quarters.

Just four weeks removed from surgery to insert four screws into his hand, Watson is ready to play according to Swinney.

“Deshaun is ready to play this week. I’m not sure that we’ll play him but he’ll be ready to go,” Swinney said during his Tuesday press conference in the WestZone. “Come Monday, he’ll be cut loose. He has taken the majority of the second team work this week.”

The only thing that has been hampering Watson is the splint that the medical staff has made him wear.

“He hasn’t had any pain,” Swinney said. "We saw him cut it loose last week. There’s been no pain at all. The only thing that he was hindered by was the contraption they had on his hand."

Swinney said that Watson will be dressed out when Clemson takes the field Thursday night but will only enter the game if he’s needed to win the game.

“What’s going on in the game is what will determine if he plays," Swinney said. “ If we had to have him to win the game, he’ll be dressed and ready to go. It will probably be the most watched pregame in the history of college football. Don’t miss pregame.”

Despite not playing in the last two games, Swinney said that Watson has prepared as if he would have played.

“He looks good. He’s done great,” Swinney said. “He has continued to prepare as if he’s playing every week. He’s been very engaged. Cole [Stoudt] is also feeling a lot better. The extra time has been great for him. He’s practiced really well since last Thursday and I expect him to play his best game of the season. I’m really pleased with the way he’s taken command.

Swinney also said that redshirt freshman Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
RS Fr. Running Back
#23 5-11, 214
Elberton, GA
View Full Profile will make his college debut Thursday night.

“We wanted to play him against Syracuse but the guy hadn’t played football in a year and a half and we were fighting for every inch of grass out there. We just didn’t feel like we had an opportunity to get him out there. He’s ready to go and you’ll see him Thursday night.

In addition to Watson and Dye, Swinney said that his team is beginning to get a little healthier.

“ Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
So. Tight End
#16 6-5, 251
Navarre, FL
View Full Profile looks good,” he said. “ He’ll be back with us this week. I like what I’m seeing with Charone PeakeCharone Peake
RS Jr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 204
Moore, SC
View Full Profile . He will be full speed on Monday.”

The Tigers could also get a key piece on the offensive line back for Georgia Tech.

“ Jay GuillermoJay Guillermo
RS So. Center
#57 6-3, 314
Maryville, TN
View Full Profile tried to go this Monday but was still a little sore so we’ll re-evaluate him on Monday.”

However, with every little bit of good news, comes bad news.

“We lost D.J. GreenleeD.J. Greenlee
RS Fr. Tight End
#87 6-1, 240
Clemson, SC
View Full Profile Sunday to a non-contact injury. He was just running a route and tore his ACL. Really, really, disappointed because D.J. was making some progress for us,” Swinney said. “ Adam ChoiceAdam Choice
Fr. Running Back
#26 5-10, 211
Thomasville, GA
View Full Profile just had his surgery so those two guys will partner up and go through the rehab together."

" Martin JenkinsMartin Jenkins
RS Sr. Cornerback
#14 5-9, 185
Roswell, GA
View Full Profile is out as well. They went in and put a screw in because he had a ligament issue in his foot. We hope to have him back for the South Carolina game so he can finish out his career here at Clemson and play in the bowl game.”