Clemson QB Deshaun Watson could have surgery, miss bowl game

The prospect of Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson playing in the Russell Athletic Bowl against Oklahoma on Dec. 29 was dampened Sunday evening when coach Dabo Swinney announced that his star quarterback might undergo surgery to fix a partially torn ACL.

"At this point we may go ahead and do surgery, try and get him a three-week headstart on his rehab," Swinney said during the bowl teleconference. "Really want him to get all the skills and drills done this summer. That's something we're going to visit on pretty soon."

Swinney said the coaching and training staffs would decide Watson’s fate in the next day or two.

Watson suffered an LCL sprain against Georgia Tech on Nov. 15 and then partially tore the ACL during practice the following week. Watson missed the game against Georgia Southern, but did help the Tigers defeat South Carolina for the first time since 2008.

Swinney revealed after the game that Watson had been playing with the injury.

Watson having the surgery now would almost assuredly have him back on the field for summer drills and ready for the 2015 season.Swinney had previously intimated that Watson would play in the Tigers' bowl game, but that was when they were still in the running for the Orange Bowl.

For more Clemson news, visit TigerIllustrated.com.

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