BREAKING: Top Clemson Linebacker 'out for a few games'

Dabo Swinney announced that starting linebacker James Skalski will be out for an extended period. Skalski didn’t play the past weekend against Syracuse and it sounds like he will be out much longer than expected.

Skalski had an MRI on his groin this week and is going to have to have it scoped and will be out for a few games.

“We will get him back, I’m just not sure how many games he will miss,” Swinney said.

As for the backup, Jake Venables will be called on to fill the role in his father’s defense. Swinney noted that having Venables as a backup is a big deal for the Tigers.

“It’s huge. He did a great job last week. This is a game to have a guy like that-- they are a challenge. Thankful that we’ve got a veteran guy like Jake,” Swinney said. “This creates more opportunities for (Keith) Maguire, Kane (Patterson), and Vonta Bentley.”On the time frame, Swinney feels goo

We will have more updates when they become available. 

– From ClemsonTigers.com

Entered 2020 credited with 166 career tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 6.0 sacks, four pass breakups, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 931 snaps over 47 games (17 starts) in his career.

2020: Recorded three tackles (one for loss) and a pass breakup in one half of play at Wake Forest … scored first career touchdown on a 17-yard fumble return and added two tackles vs. The Citadel, collecting team defensive player of the game honors … credited by the coaching staff with 13 tackles and a pass breakup vs. Virginia … credited with five tackles including a half-sack vs. No. 7 Miami, sharing team defensive player of the game honors … contributed four tackles and a pass breakup at Georgia Tech … unavailable vs. Syracuse.