Gametime Decisions Await Tigers On Saturday

by Dan Scott - Correspondent - Wed Sep 26 19:34:41 GMT-04:00 2001

CLEMSON -- A few members of Clemson's walking wounded began showing a bit of spring in their step Wednesday. How that translates into weekend playing time remains to be seen.

This much is certain. Safety Eric Meekins (pulled hamstring), tight end Ben Hall and running back Chad Jasmin (sprained ankles) all went through a full workout Wednesday and should be at or near 100 percent when the Tigers visit No. 9 Georgia Tech Saturday.

Beyond that, seven other injured players look to be game-time decisions.

"We'll have to go out in pregame and say 'hey, how's your knee feel, how's your ankle feel...,'" head coach Tommy Bowden said following Wednesday's practice. "I've never seen that many key players (hurt) this late before you can make up your mind. They can't hardly practice."

Wide receiver Roscoe Crosby (sprained knee, bone bruise) and defensive tackles Jovon Bush (bruised foot bone) and Nick Eason (sprained ankle) were upgraded from yellow jerseys (no contact or drills) to green (limited contact and drills) for Wednesday's practice.

But Bush and Eason each came off the practice field hobbling noticeably, wearing ice packs. If neither can play Saturday, freshman Donnell Washington and sophomore DeJuan Polk will start at the defensive tackle spots, with true freshmen Eric Coleman and Trey Tate serving as backups.

Coleman, moved from offensive tackle to defensive tackle earlier this week, would be forced into immediate playing time under those circumstances.

"He'd have to play," Bowden said. "You don't know what will happen. Maybe you give him a gap, line him up there to make (opponents) double-team him. I'm sure there are some things we can do, without elaborating too much."

Clemson Injury Summary

*Kevin Youngblood (WR)-broken leg, out

*Jackie Robinson (WR)-broken jaw, out

*Marcus Houskin(FS)-broken neck, out

*Altroy Bodrick(LB)-torn ACL, out

*Roscoe Crosby (WR)-bruised knee, questionable

*Matt Bailey (WR)-pulled hamstring, questionable

*J.J. McKelvey (WR)-sprained knee, questionable

*Travis Zachery (RB)-bruised foot and knee, questionable

*Jovon Bush(DT) -bruised bone in foot, questionable

*Nick Eason, (DT), sprained ankle, questionable

*Eric Meekins (FS)-pulled hamstring, will play