Deshaun Watson says nothing has changed now that Mike Williams will miss at least six weeks of the football season. The goals are still the same, and he has confidence in the guys that will fill in for the All-ACC wide receiver.
“All of our receivers can play all three positions,” the Clemson quarterback said on Monday.
Williams fractured part of his neck in 12th-ranked Clemson’s 49-10 victory over Wofford this past Saturday when he collided with the protecting padding on the goal post following his four-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter. Head coach Dabo Swinney said on Sunday evening that an MRI showed a small fracture in Williams’ neck.
Williams caught 57 passes last season for a team-high 1,030 yards and six touchdowns. Four of Williams six touchdown came from Watson’s right arm in 2014. Also, his two best games came when Watson was the quarterback.
Watson found Williams six times for 122 yards and two touchdowns against North Carolina, and six times again the following week for a career-high 155 yards and two more scores in a win over NC State.
Watson and Williams were on line to have a big day on Saturday as they connected on two passes for 20 yards on the opening drive before Williams’ injured his neck on the touchdown reception.
“We have guys that can step up that are going to step that play that position,” Watson said. “They are going to do a great job at it.”
Those guys are Charone Peake, who is listed as the starter at the 9-position, Trevion Thompson and Deon Cain. Germone Hopper is now the starter in the slot, and he will be backed up by Hunter Renfrow.
“We have a lot of guys that can come in and make plays so it kind of makes my job easier,” Watson said.