Justyn Ross sidelined after aggravating foot injury, career at Clemson could be over
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During Dabo Swinney’s Sunday teleconference, the two-time national championship-winning head coach told us that Justyn Ross had been playing with a small stress fracture in his foot all season. Today, Swinney confirmed that Ross would now be out for an extended period of time-- and that he’s possibly played his last snap as a Clemson Tiger.
"Probably going to go ahead and do surgery, Thursday,” Swinney announced today. "We may wait and see where he is Monday and just see if he's better, and maybe he can finish. But right now, our plan is to probably go ahead and do it. We're going to see where he is tomorrow."
Swinney also noted that without Ross in the mix the wideouts would be very young on Saturday against Wake Forest.
“With Ross out, we’re going to start a true freshman at receiver, a true freshman at receiver, and a true sophomore at receiver,” Swinney said of the situation.
Swinney also noted that getting to watch Ross play in 10 games this year was incredible, especially given his neck surgery and recovery.
“One of the worst days of my coaching career was the day that the doctors showed up in my office unannounced. And we had to get Justyn and his mom and tell him that it's most likely he's not gonna play football anymore,” Swinney recalled of his conversation with Ross in June of 2020.
“So if that's his last play, I'm thankful. I'm thankful that he's able to come back and play 10 games and show everybody what he can do.”
Ross has 46 receptions this year for 514 yards and three touchdowns. In his career, the Phenix City, AL native has totaled 158 catches for 2,379 yards and 20 touchdowns, including a monster performance in the 2019 College Football Playoffs. That season, facing Notre Dame in the Cotton Bowl, Ross caught six passes for 148 yards with two touchdowns. Then in the College Football Playoff National Championship against Alabama, Ross added six more receptions for 153 yards with one touchdown helping Clemson to a 44-16 win over the Crimson Tide.
It should be noted that Ross does have eligibility remaining and could choose to return to Clemson. He is also considered a potential first-round NFL draft pick should he choose to turn pro.