Three more Clemson starters likely out for season

PITTSBURGH — Clemson has been hampered by injuries all season and that continued Saturday night at Pitt.

Dabo Swinney said following Saturday’s loss to the Panthers that Tigers offensive lineman Matt Bockhorst likely suffered a torn ACL and will miss the rest of the season.

“It looks like Bockhorst tore his ACL. It just breaks your heart,” Swinney said. “This kid is a fifth-year competitor and has given every ounce of everything he has to this team. My heart breaks for him.”

Tight end Braden Galloway suffered a separated shoulder that Swinney said is “likely” season ending.

Frank Ladson is also out for the year after underdoing surgery on his groin earlier this week.

Clemson receivers EJ Williams (knee) and Joseph Ngata (COVID-19) also missed Saturday’s game.

Bockhorst started this season at center for the Tigers before moving to guard in the middle of the year. Galloway started the first three games of the season, although Davis Allen has started as of late. Ladson started the first four games of the season but has been banged up since the NC State game.

Those three are far from the only Clemson players dealing with injuries.

Defensive tackle Tyler Davis played a limited number of snaps Saturday after suffering a torn bicep earlier this year.

Fellow defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is out for the year after tearing his ACL against NC State.

Running back Will Shipley was back for the Pitt game but he had also been out several weeks after suffering a leg injury against NC State.

Swinney said that the Tigers have 17 scholarship players currently banged up.

Clemson has also been hurt by transfers this year as Lyn-J Dixon, Michel Dukes and Joseph Charleston all chose to enter the transfer portal in the middle of the season.

Now Clemson must regroup and try to get some guys back healthy before next week’s game against Florida State.