CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Richard Yeargin is following a former Tigers' example after a serious injury.
Richard Yeargin is following a former Tigers' example after a serious injury.

Swinney updates Yeargin's health status


by - Staff Writer -

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Monday night he's "very encouraged" by what he's seen out of injured junior defensive end Richard Yeargin.

Yeargin suffered a neck injury in a serious car accident this June described as similar to former Tiger Mike Williams' injury in 2015. The Lauderdale Lakes, Florida native is out for the season.

"I think Mike really set a great model for (Yeargin) because Mike stayed engaged all year," Swinney said on his radio show. "He was incredibly supportive of his teammates and incredibly involved in practices. A great encourager and into the game on gamedays. And Richard has been the same way. That's just who he is.

"He's a very smart and bright young man. You know when you get into a situation like that you get some perspective real quick. He's just really thankful and appreciative that he's going to be OK."

Yeargin was line for competing for more snaps after posting four tackles for loss and 14 total stops in 189 snaps last season.

"Yes, he's disappointed that he's not going to be able to play this year," Swinney said, "but he's thankful that he will have an opportunity to play again. You know what, he's lucky to be alive. He's lucky that he wasn't paralyzed and it was a lot worse.

"He's doing great and I've been very encouraged how he's responded."

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