This one will leave a mark.
Already charged with the task of replacing its five most potent offensive weapons from a year ago, Clemson will now have to replace an expected replacement for the lost production as Zac Brooks has been ruled out for the entire 2014 season due to injury. Specifically, the running back suffered an unspecified foot injury during practice Monday night.
The head coach acknowledged the loss of Brooks is a big one.
“Zac was having an outstanding camp and was ready for a terrific year,” said Dabo Swinney in a statement. “The plan is for Zac to sit out this year due to the injury and come back next year as a red-shirt junior. This is a big loss because he is such a reliable player in all phases of the game. He knows the offense inside and out.”
In 2013, Brooks had 48 carries for 246 yards, a total that was third on the team. The good news for the Tigers is that there’s still talent in the backfield in the form of true freshman Adam Choice, junior C.J. Davidson, redshirt freshman Wayne Gallman and senior D.J. Howard.