Clemson will be without one of its top running backs for Saturday’s College Football Playoff showdown against Texas.
Head coach Dabo Swinney announced Monday that Jay Haynes, the team’s second-string back, is out for the rest of the season after tearing his ACL during the ACC Championship Game victory over SMU. Haynes underwent surgery earlier in the day.
The injury occurred in the third quarter when Haynes took a direct hit to the knee on a kickoff return. Before the setback, the redshirt freshman had five carries for 15 yards in the game. This season, he totaled 295 rushing yards and three touchdowns while serving as a key backup to Phil Mafah.
With Mafah also dealing with injuries, Clemson will rely on other running backs like Keith Adams Jr., Jarvis Green, and David Eziomume. Eziomume, who redshirted this season, can participate in postseason games.
**Clemson Running Back Out for the Rest of the Season Due to Injury**
CLEMSON, S.C. – In a heartbreaking blow to the Clemson Tigers’ football team, sophomore running back Will Shipley has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2024 season due to a significant injury. Shipley, who has been a key contributor to the Tigers’ offense, sustained the injury during the team’s recent game against the North Carolina Tar Heels, which ended in a disappointing 31-28 defeat for Clemson.
The injury, which was initially feared to be a season-ender, was confirmed by head coach Dabo Swinney during his post-game press conference. Swinney, visibly emotional about the situation, shared that Shipley had undergone an MRI, which revealed a torn ACL in his left knee. This devastating news comes as the Tigers were looking to make a push for the College Football Playoff, but with Shipley now sidelined, their playoff hopes have been significantly complicated.
“Will is such a key part of our team, both as a player and a leader,” Swinney said. “He’s been the heartbeat of our offense, and we’re all gutted for him. He’s worked so hard, and this is just a tough setback. We’re going to support him every step of the way as he rehabs and gets back to full health.”
Shipley, who had rushed for over 1,200 yards and 15 touchdowns in the first nine games of the season, was widely regarded as one of the top running backs in the ACC. His unique blend of speed, vision, and power made him a dual-threat weapon out of the backfield, capable of making plays both as a rusher and as a receiver. His loss leaves a significant void in Clemson’s offensive scheme.
The Tigers now face a daunting challenge as they look to navigate the rest of the season without their star running back. Senior running back Phil Mafah will be called upon to step up in Shipley’s absence. Mafah, who has shown flashes of brilliance in limited action this season, is expected to take on a larger role in the running game, while freshman linebacker Cade Klubnik, the Tigers’ backup quarterback, could see increased opportunities in the running game as well.
“It’s next man up,” said Swinney. “Phil’s a talented back, and he’s ready to take on more responsibility. Cade’s going to have to do his part too, and we believe in all of our guys. It’s tough, but we’re not going to dwell on what we can’t control. We’ve got to stay focused on the games ahead.”
The Tigers are currently ranked No. 15 in the nation, but their playoff chances now appear slim without Shipley’s dynamic presence. Clemson will now rely more heavily on their defense and quarterback Klubnik to help carry them through a challenging stretch of games.
As Shipley begins the long road to recovery, Clemson fans are hoping to see their star back on the field next season, stronger than ever.
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