Clemson QB Deshaun Watson will have knee surgery Friday, miss bowl game

Clemson star quarterback Deshaun Watson will have surgery Friday to repair a partially torn ACL and a torn LCL, coach Dabo Swinney announced Wednesday.

Watson will miss the Tigers’ bowl game against Oklahoma on Dec. 29.

Watson suffered an LCL sprain against Georgia Tech on Nov. 15 and then partially tore the ACL during practice the following week. He missed the subsequent game against Georgia Southern, but returned to help the Tigers defeat South Carolina.

Swinney revealed the injury after the victory.

Originally Swinney said Watson would be available for the bowl game, but that was when the Tigers were still in line for the Orange Bowl. With the Tigers going to the Russell Athletic Bowl, Swinney said the thought was to allow Watson to get a jumpstart on his rehab and have him back by summer drills.

Cole Stoudt will start the bowl game in Watson’s place. Stoudt is completing 62 percent of his passes for 1,573 yards, six touchdowns and 10 interceptions. He was the season-opening starter before Watson replaced him.

For more Clemson news, visit TigerIllustrated.com.

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