Dabo Swinney provides 'hopeful' Beaux Collins, Trenton Simpson injury update

As Clemson prepares for the stretch run in the final two weeks of the regular season, leading into an ACC title game and possibly a College Football Playoff berth, the Tigers are getting healthier. Dabo Swinney provided Beaux Collins and Trenton Simpson injury updates Wednesday, with both on the mend.

Both players missed the Louisville game last week, with Simpson nursing an ankle injury and Collins dealing with a separated shoulder.

Swinney thinks both have a chance to play this week against Miami.

“Yeah, absolutely. I think he and Beaux are both, as we said the other day, kind of day-to-day, working back into practice,” Swinney said. “I think both of those guys have a chance. We’re hopeful.”

Simpson is the team’s second-leading tackler on the season defensively, having made 60 stops so far. He has also chipped in 0.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, a forced fumble, three pass breakups and five quarterback hurries.

Getting him back would significantly bolster an already stout defense.

Meanwhile, Collins has accounted for 20 catches for 308 yards and five touchdowns this season. No player on Clemson’s roster has recorded more touchdown catches during the 2022 campaign.

Trenton Simpson injury relatively minor, but Clemson loses an O-lineman for good

The good news for Clemson is the Beaux Collins and Trenton Simpson injury update from Swinney on Wednesday was, well, good. Not so positive on another front, unfortunately.

Clemson will be without offensive lineman Mason Trotter going forward, with the junior lineman forced to medically retire after undergoing back surgery.

“It was crazy. Honestly he got out of bed and couldn’t walk,” Swinney said. “He’s never had a back problem. It was the weirdest thing ever. He literally got up one morning, came in and had a back issue. Never has had that, so he ended up, they tried everything, so they ended up having to do surgery on him.”

Clemson will be back in action this weekend against Miami, taking on the Hurricanes in a game that kicks off at 3:30 p.m. ET on Saturday on ESPN.