Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney held his weekly Tuesday press conference and gave the latest on the status of senior safety Tyler Venables.

After telling the media last week that Venables was practicing and playing on the scout team last week, Swinney said Tuesday that Venables is back and will be available for this week’s game against North Carolina.

“He’s back. They released him this week, so he’s back and he’ll be available,” Swinney said. “Obviously hasn’t played, but he did scout team last week. In fact, he was scout team player of the week. Imagine that. So, that was good to see.”

Venables has been a coach on the sideline for the Tigers while working his way back from hip surgery in the summer.

“Everybody loves T-Bone, man. He’s been a coach for us,” Swinney said. “I mean he’s been on the headset. He’s been working out there. I think he’s really enjoyed that. He’s going to be a great coach one day. I think it’s been a good perspective for him as we’ve gone through games and stuff. But he’s excited. He’s worked really, really hard to get back.”

Venables has dealt with a lot of injuries in his Clemson career, during  which he’s recorded 98 tackles (5.5 for loss), a sack, an interception and seven pass breakups in 716 defensive snaps over 34 games (two starts).

“He’s been through a lot with his labrum and his hip, his groin and torn hamstrings and all that stuff,” Swinney said. “So, we’ll have him available and see how it goes.”

Last season, the 5-foot-11, 205-pounder was credited with 37 tackles (one for loss), a pass breakup and a team-high seven special teams tackles while playing 240 defensive snaps over 10 games.

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