Cade Klubnik injury update: Dabo Swinney reveals Clemson QB’s status after Florida State game

In what was likely his final night home game at Memorial Stadium, Clemson senior quarterback Cade Klubnik led the Tigers to a 24-10 win over Florida State last Saturday night. Klubnik, who has dealt with injuries all season long, passed for 221 yards and one touchdown in the win.

On Tuesday, head coach Dabo Swinney provided an injury update on Klubnik heading into Clemson‘s final three games of the season. The Tigers must win two of their final three games (No. 15 Louisville, Furman, and South Carolina) to avoid missing a bowl game for the first time since 2004.

“The ankle’s good,” Swinney said. “He didn’t really have any problems in the game with his ankle. He could hardly walk last week because of his thigh. It was so swollen and blown up. It got better everyday and sure enough, he was right. He was ready on GameDay. But, he’s a lot better. He’s a lot better than he was this time last week. He couldn’t even practice. So he’s doing a lot better.”

Swinney called Klubnik a ‘warrior’ last Tuesday

Less-than-stellar play and those nagging injuries have been factors in Klubnik’s disappointing season. Klubnik, who passed for 3,639 yards and 36 touchdowns last season, boasts just 2,136 yards and 14 touchdowns (with five interceptions) in eight games this season.

He was projected to be a preseason player for the Heisman Trophy along with being one of the top quarterbacks selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, but that doesn’t quite look to be the case. In his three seasons as Clemson‘s starting quarterback, Klubnik has led the Tigers to a 23-12 record. He has an ACC Championship and an appearance in the College Football Playoff in 2024.

“Cade is a warrior, man,” head coach Dabo Swinney said last Tuesday. “He’ll be that way forever. He did everything he could to play against SMU … treatment, hooked up to machines, everything. He loves to play and has no fear. When he makes mistakes, he comes right back. He’s really played well. He’s had three or four games in a row where he has played really well for us.”

Clemson will need Klubnik to return to his 2024 form over the final three games in order to reach the six-win mark. That march continues on Saturday, as the Tigers travel to Louisville for a clash with the No. 15 ranked Cardinals. Last season, Klubnik passed for 228 yards and one touchdown in a 33-21 loss to Jeff Brohm‘s team.