Dabo Swinney gives grim update on Matt Bockhorst injury

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers have been hammered with injuries this season.

The latest came in the first quarter of Saturday’s matchup vs. Pitt, when starting offensive linemen Matt Bockhorst was helped off the field with an apparent leg injury. He was eventually carted to the locker room.

“Dabo says it looks like Matt Bockhorst tore his ACL. Said he estimates 17 scholarship players out now,” ESPN ACC Reporter David Hale reported on Twitter.

The Clemson Tigers entered Saturday’s critical ACC matchup vs. No. 23 Pittsburgh on Saturday without several key players.

According to Jon Blau who covers Clemson for the Post and Courier, RB Michel Dukes (transfer portal), WR Frank Ladson Jr., WR Joseph Ngata, LB Jake Venables, WR E.J. Williams are all listed as out vs. Pitt on Saturday afternoon.

Those were just the players in question for Saturday. While Swinney will never make excuses, it’s obvious the unprecedented number of injuries have had a major impact on Clemson’s struggles in 2021.

Is Dabo Swinney to blame for QB woes?

It’s hard to envision the Clemson coaching staff getting blamed for poor quarterback play, but one reputable former NFL passer had an interesting take.

Former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer has noticed something about DJ Uiagalelei. In an appearance on OutKick, Dilfer said the quarterback has gotten worse at Clemson, and he didn’t stop there.

“What’s going on with DJ right now at Clemson, that’s probably the most egregious thing I’ve seen,” Dilfer said. I love Dabo (Swinney) and I’ll probably get a phone call, but DJ’s gotten worse.”

The 13-year NFL veteran also asserted that Trevor Lawrence, now with the Jacksonville Jaguars, regressed with the Tigers.

“Trevor (Lawrence) got worse mechanically,” he said. “He has completely changed from the time he left Clemson to what he is now in Jacksonville. Much better. He’s so talented and they were rolling so much that he got away with being sloppy. He’d be the first to tell you. …I don’t even know who the quarterbacks coach is at Clemson. I couldn’t tell you his name. Colleges need to do a better job of understanding it’s a craft.”

Dabo Swinney has earned enough credibility in his coaching career, but the take from Dilfer is undoubtedly interesting.