Clemson right tackle Joe Gore will not start Saturday’s home finale against Wake Forest. Head coach Dabo Swinney announced after Wednesday’s practice that the senior has been going through a personal crisis the last couple of days.
Gore missed practice on Tuesday and Wednesday as he takes care of his personal issues. Swinney said they will get him back before they take on the Demon Deacons and he will be available to play. But because he missed so much practice time, freshman Jake Fruhmorgen will make his first start at right tackle.
“The biggest thing on Joe, and again he is fine, but keep him in your prayers,” Swinney said. “Again, life happens. These are just normal people and sometimes personal things pop up. There are more important things than football. So we will love him through what he is dealing with right now and hopefully he is back by tomorrow.”
Fruhmorgen has played in seven games this year and has taken 150 snaps. He played the last 15 snaps against Syracuse last week when fellow freshman, and starting left tackle, Mitch Hyatt left the game with an injury in the fourth quarter. Gore replaced Hyatt at left tackle and Fruhmorgen took Gore’s spot on the right side.
“He will be just fine,” Swinney said. “He’ll be just fine. He is a great player. He is not a rookie anymore. He’s in Game 11. He has played quite a bit. He has played well and he has practiced a ton. He will be just fine. We will rock and roll.”
Injury updates. Wide recover Ray Ray McCloud (knee) and right guard Tyrone Crowder (foot) will not play on Saturday against Wake Forest. Cornerback Mackensie Alexander (knee) and running back Wayne Gallman (foot) are much better, but they are listed day-to-day and will be a game-time decision.
Swinney says he will not limit Gallman’s and Alexander’s playing time if in fact they can play against Wake Forest.
“We are going to do whatever we can to win the game,” Swinney said. “But right now they are much better today, and we are going to see them tomorrow. We can’t say anything right now other than it will probably be a game-day deal with them. But I’m pleased with what I have seen.”
Safety Jefferie Gibson and linebacker Kendall Joseph were involved in a collision at practice on Tuesday and they will be held out of the game due to concussion protocol.
Hopper will start again. Germone Hopper will start at punt returner for a second straight week. Swinney says he likes Hopper’s mentality and the job he did last week.
“He was really just a blade away from taking that one to the house. He just got tripped a little bit,” Swinney said.
Spiller makes an appearance. Former Clemson running back and All-American C.J. Spiller was back in Clemson on Tuesday. His current team, the New Orleans Saints, are off this week. Spiller watched practice on Tuesday and plans to attend Swinney’s 46th birthday party on Thursday.