Report: Clemson RB Will Shipley out for game vs. Notre Dame

Clemson star running back Will Shipley will not play against Notre Dame Saturday, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

“Shipley entered concussion protocol since taking a hit in Clemson’s loss to NC State last week and did not progress enough to return Saturday,” Thamel wrote. “Clemson coach Dabo Swinney had called him ‘day-to-day’ this week.”

It’s a significant blow to the Tigers (4-4) who are trying to bounce back and become eligible down the stretch of the season.

In a rough season at Clemson, not having the star offensive player will certainly impact the game plan against the Fighting Irish.

Shipley initially had a “path to play” Saturday, but alas, it did not happen ahead of kickoff.

“With Clemson, there’s a huge injury storyline to be following going into this game,” Thamel said Friday on College Football Live. “Will Shipley, the star running back — and really, the most dynamic player on an offense that doesn’t have a lot of dynamic players — suffered a concussion last week. He’s been in protocol this week, and I’m told he’s questionable for this game.

“There is a path back for him to play. We likely won’t know until tomorrow morning what Will Shipley’s status is, but they’ll need him against the Irish.”

Shipley has been one of the biggest pieces of the Clemson offense this year, leading the Tigers with 515 rushing yards and adding 120 yards and two touchdowns in the passing game. Last week, he totaled 21 yards on six carries before leaving the game.

Swinney previously said it’ll come down to the team doctors to make the final determination on Shipley’s status against Notre Dame as Clemson looks to avoid falling under .500.

“The medical people gotta say he’s good to go,” Swinney said. “I mean, that’s really it. I don’t get involved in that stuff.

“They have protocols in place and metrics; they’ve got all kinds of stuff that you have to go through to be cleared to get back to play. So that’s where it is; what has to happen is they got to clear him, and that’s up to them.”

Nick Schultz contributed to this report