Clemson star tailback Will Shipley out vs. Notre Dame

Clemson star tailback Will Shipley, the team’s leading rusher, has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against No. 15 Notre Dame.

Shipley has entered concussion protocol after sustaining a hit in Clemson’s loss to NC State last week. Unfortunately, he hasn’t made enough progress to be cleared for this Saturday’s game. Throughout the week, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney called his status “day-to-day.”

Shipley has been an integral part of the Clemson offense, averaging an impressive 4.6 yards per carry and being hailed as the team’s top offensive player. This season, he has rushed for 515 yards and scored five touchdowns.

The loss of Shipley is a setback for the Clemson offense, especially considering their ranking as No. 63 nationally in scoring offense (28.8). It becomes even more challenging as they face Notre Dame’s No. 9 scoring defense (15.3).

Shipley, a junior, has demonstrated his talent throughout his career, accumulating 2,436 rushing yards with 1,182 yards last season alone. However, this year, he has seen a slight decrease in his average yards per carry, dropping to 4.6 compared to 5.6 in 2022.

Additionally, Shipley has played a crucial role in Clemson’s passing game, with 20 receptions for 120 yards this season.

Besides Shipley, Clemson will also be without three defensive starters against Notre Dame: safety Jalyn Phillips, cornerback Sheridan Jones, and defensive end Justin Mascoll. Phillips, who has started in all eight games, has recorded 34 tackles and five pass breakups. Jones has 25 tackles, two for loss, and an interception, while Mascoll has 20 tackles, three for loss, and three quarterback hurries. Freshman T.J. Parker is listed as a co-starter with Mascoll on the team’s depth chart.

Furthermore, left guard Marcus Tate, who has started every game this season and has 27 career starts, will not be available. Junior Trent Howard may start in his place.

In addition to these absences, Clemson’s secondary is already missing starting safety R.J. Mickens, who underwent an appendectomy last week. Backup safety Sherrod Covil Jr. is also out for the Notre Dame game.

Clemson’s record currently stands at 4-4 following consecutive losses to Miami and NC State.

Information from ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg was used in this report.