Earlier this week Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney suggested quarterback Deshaun Watson may be available for Clemson’s bowl game despite playing on a partially torn ACL. Perhaps somebody came to their senses, because now Watson will reportedly undergo surgery later this week to begin his rehab process before the bowl game.
As reported by The Post and Courier Tuesday evening, Watson will have his surgery on Friday. This appeared to be the way Swinney was leaning when asked about the surgery decision on Sunday.A decision had not been made final a couple of days ago, and Swinney was leaving the door open for his young quarterback to playin the bowl game, but getting the treatment started now for a young player that figures to have a key role in the offense in 2015 and beyond eventually proved to be too valuable.
“We might go ahead and do surgery and try to get a three-week head start on his rehab,” Swinney said Sunday. “He has a good eight months of rehab and we want him available for skills and drills this summer.”
Watson passed for 1,466 yards and 14 touchdowns this season, with just two interceptions. He added a bit of mobility to the offense as well with 200 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
Without Watson, Clemson will put the ball in senior Cole Stoudt’s hands one last time.Stoudt has struggled this season, throwing for 1,573 yards and si touchdowns with 10 interceptions.
Clemson will face Oklahoma in the Russell Athletic Bowl on December 29 in Orlando, Florida.