A key Clemson transfer defensive tackle still has a chance to return for the Tigers’ regular season finale vs. rival South Carolina, according to head coach Dabo Swinney.

During his Tuesday press conference, Swinney gave the latest update on Markus Strong, who suffered a lower leg injury in the season opener against LSU on Sept. 5 and subsequently underwent surgery.

Swinney was asked if he feels like it’s still a possibility that Strong could return for the South Carolina game on Nov. 28.

While the Oklahoma transfer was initially expected to miss the rest of the 2026 campaign, Swinney said earlier this fall that there was a realistic chance he could return late this season, potentially as soon as the South Carolina game.

Based on Swinney’s latest comments, it appears Strong still has a shot to make his return against the Gamecocks.

“I think so. I think so,” Swinney said Tuesday. “I hadn’t really talked about it as of late, but I would say that’s still a possibility. Or certainly for the postseason.”

Strong, a senior, spent his first three college seasons at Oklahoma from 2023-25, helping the Sooners to the College Football Playoff in his final season with the program, before transferring to Clemson in January. He was one of the Tigers’ biggest transfer additions.

The 6-foot-3, 295-pounder was credited with 10 tackles (four for loss) and three sacks in 14 games at Oklahoma. He played 11 games in 2025, logging seven tackles (two for loss) and a sack, after appearing in two games in 2024, with both of his two tackles on the year being sacks. He appeared in one game while redshirting in 2023.