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Dabo Swinney says celebration injury ends season for Clemson football starter
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- Dabo Swinney says celebration injury ends season for Clemson football starter
CLEMSON — Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney announced that the Tigers suffered "two big losses" as starting left guard Brayden Jacobs and right guard Walker Parks are out for the season with injuries.
Swinney said Jacobs, a freshman, injured his foot after celebrating Clemson 's 20-19 win vs. Louisville on the field on Nov. 14.
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"I think he just jumped up in jubilation or something," Swinney said Nov. 16. "Just kind of came down awkward."
Swinney said Jacobs, who was in a boot postgame, should be ready for spring practice, and Collin Sadler is the likeliest player to replace the freshman.
Parks, who splits reps at right guard with Harris Sewell , suffered an ankle injury in the fourth quarter. He was in a boot and on crutches postgame. This injury will end Parks' college career after spending six seasons at Clemson.
Parks has dealt with a multitude of injuries in his career, including ankle, rib and leg, but he has played in 62 games, the seventh most in Clemson history.
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"That just breaks my heart. It really does," Swinney said. "But, at the same time, I'm thankful for Walker. I wasn't sure he was going to play football again a couple of years ago."
Swinney said Sewell will get snaps at right guard, but the injuries will give younger players, including Gavin Blanchard, Ronan O'Connell and Dietrick Pennington, opportunity to play more.
Clemson's offensive line has been riddled with injuries this season, using six different starting offensive line combinations. Elyjah Thurmon, Tristan Leigh , Sewell, Sadler and Parks all have missed games this season.
Clemson has allowed 15 sacks, tied for the fourth fewest in the ACC.
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The Tigers (5-5) will host Furman (6-5), an in-state FCS school, on Nov. 22 (4:30 p.m. ET, The CW) at Memorial Stadium. Clemson needs one more win to be bowl eligible for the 21st straight season.
Clemson finishes the regular season at South Carolina on Nov. 29 (noon, ABC or ESPN).
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football starter's season ends after celebration injury
