There is growing concern at Clemson that starting quarterback Cade Klubnik will not be able to play against SMU on Saturday.

Klubnik sprained his right ankle late in the third quarter of the Tigers’ 41-10 win over Boston College last Saturday. With 1:43 remaining in the third quarter and Clemson facing a 2nd and 9 from the BC 9-yard line, Klubnik took off running in an attempt to score. While being tackled by two defenders, his ankle was rolled up.

While head coach Dabo Swinney was initially optimistic that Klubnik would be back by Saturday, The Clemson Insider has learned that the senior quarterback did not practice on Monday and was limited in what he could do on both Tuesday and Wednesday. Klubnik has had issues putting pressure on his plant foot, we were told.

Sources tell TCI, as of Thursday, Klubnik is a long way from 100 percent and his status will likely be a game-time decision. While Klubnik is doing everything he can to play, the coaching staff is preparing as if he won’t be able to go.

Sources have also told TCI that backup quarterback Christopher Vizzina has received the majority of the first teams snaps this week.

During his post-practice Zoom call on Wednesday, Swinney said if Klubnik can’t go, Vizzina would get the start.

“If Cade can’t go, CV is the guy for sure,” Swinney said. “He will have to go get it done, and we’ve got confidence that he can.”

After a slow start to the season, Klubnik has rebounded nicely in back-to-back road wins over North Carolina and Boston College. The senior is completing 65.8 percent of his passes and has thrown for 1,530 yards with 11 touchdowns and five interceptions. He is also second on the team with 160 rushing yards, and he has two scoring runs.

Vizzina is now in his third year with the program, but has yet to start a game. In limited action this season, Vizzina is 7-of-14 for 37 yards with one interception.

—Photo by Bart Boatwright / The Clemson Insider