Grayson McCall injury update: Will the NC State QB play vs. Clemson? How about CJ Bailey?

N.C. State quarterback Grayson McCall is officially “day-to-day,” but he won’t start Saturday when the Wolfpack opens ACC play at Clemson, head coach Dave Doeren said Monday.

“He got dinged up, but it’s good news on him. It’s a day-to-day thing,” Doeren said. “We’re going to take our time…it’s not a season-ending thing.”

McCall left the team’s Week 3 game against Louisiana Tech with an undisclosed injury late in the second quarter. He did not return to the game.

True freshman CJ Bailey replaced McCall and helped lead the Wolfpack to a 30-20 comeback win. He will start against the Tigers.

Bailey finished 13 of 20 for 154 yards. He threw one interception in the second quarter without a touchdown pass, but Bailey ran the ball for a 1-yard touchdown. Additionally, Bailey threw for 62 yards on his first career touchdown drive.

“CJ is ready to play, and we’re behind him,” Doeren said. “I was really proud of the way that the team rallied around CJ. At halftime (against Louisiana Tech), when he knew it was his time to play, he had a big smile on his face. He was ready for the moment. Now he gets to go do it on the road against a really good football team and a tough environment.”

There is no specific timetable for McCall’s return, Doeren said, noting that every injury is different. He said the Wolfpack has “incredible doctors” and the staff will follow all advice from the medical staff.

“My focus is on just being supportive for all these kids,” Doeren said. “When they’re out — Aydan White was out last week, and Devan Boykin’s out, now Grayson — you’ve got to be there for these guys. And they’re each different, and even though you’ve had a player with a similar injury in the past, it’s a different player. You just be there for them, you’re supportive, you get them the care they need, and when they’re ready to play, they’re ready to play. I’ve been injured as a player, it’s terrible; it sucks. You feel removed from everything. As a head coach, I’m very, very understanding of that.”

McCall has a history of injuries, notably one last season when he was at Coastal Carolina. The graduate student played five seasons for the Chanticleers before transferring in the offseason. He played in only seven games last year after sustaining a head injury on Oct. 21, 2023. McCall was taken to the hospital by ambulance where he spent the night for observation. He did not play the rest of the season.

Doeren said the team believes in Bailey and his work ethic. The 12th-year head coach is excited to see Bailey “run the show” until McCall’s return. Lex Thomas, brother of former N.C. State standouts Drake and Thayer Thomas, is behind Bailey on the depth chart. Doeren said Thomas has gotten reps all year and is ready to go, too.

Cornerbacks Aydan White and Brandon Cisse are expected to return this weekend. White did not play on Saturday due to an injury sustained during the week, while Cisse left the game on the first defensive drive.