Dabo Swinney Delivers Key Injury Updates on Eight Clemson Players as Tigers Manage Health Early in Preseason Camp
As preseason camp gets underway for the Clemson Tigers, one of the main talking points isn’t just position battles or offensive development—it’s injuries. Head coach Dabo Swinney addressed the media during the team’s first full week of camp and provided an in-depth update on the injury status of eight players currently either sidelined or limited in practice. With expectations high for a bounce-back season and a deep run in the ACC, the health of several key contributors looms large.
Injuries are a reality of every college football season, but for a program like Clemson—one that relies on top-end talent and continuity across both sides of the ball—the timing and severity of each one carries significant implications. Swinney didn’t pull any punches in his availability, offering a blend of optimism and caution as he ran through the injury list, which includes returning starters, projected contributors, and promising young players.
One of the most notable names on the list is wide receiver Antonio Williams, who underwent offseason surgery and has been limited throughout summer workouts. Williams, known for his precise route running and explosive playmaking, is expected to be a focal point of the Tigers’ passing game. Swinney confirmed that Williams is progressing well but noted that the staff is taking a cautious approach to avoid setbacks. He’s currently participating in individual drills and walkthroughs but has yet to be cleared for full contact.
“Antonio looks great physically, but we’re just bringing him along slowly,” Swinney said. “He’s ahead of schedule in some ways, but we don’t need him in full pads right now. It’s about being ready Week 1, not August 1.”
The situation is similar for linebacker Wade Woodaz, who suffered a minor lower-body injury during the final stages of summer conditioning. While not considered serious, the staff is being conservative with his return to ensure long-term durability. Woodaz is projected to play a major role in the linebacker rotation this season, especially with his ability to play in space and contribute on special teams.
Another defensive standout dealing with an injury is cornerback Shelton Lewis. Lewis, who had an impressive spring and was expected to compete for a starting role this fall, is dealing with a hamstring strain that flared up during agility drills in mid-July. Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky, and Swinney indicated the staff is treating it carefully to avoid a lingering issue throughout the season.
“Shelton’s been itching to get back out there, but we’re just not going to rush it,” Swinney said. “We’ve got depth at corner, and we want him at 100 percent.”
Defensive tackle Tre Williams is also being monitored closely after dealing with recurring foot soreness. Though not a new injury, it’s one that has cropped up periodically and limited his availability in past seasons. Williams is considered one of the more experienced linemen on the roster and a leader in the locker room. Swinney acknowledged that his situation is “day-to-day” but expressed confidence in the medical team’s plan.
One of the more concerning updates involved backup offensive lineman Dietrick Pennington, who sustained a knee sprain early in camp. Though Swinney said there is no structural damage requiring surgery, the injury will keep Pennington sidelined for at least a couple of weeks. His absence could complicate depth along the offensive line, especially as Clemson works to solidify its second unit.
“He’ll be back,” Swinney said. “Just needs time and treatment. The good news is there’s no long-term damage.”
Another offensive player in recovery mode is running back Jay Haynes, who had a minor procedure during the offseason. Haynes is not yet participating in team drills but has been active in non-contact work and conditioning sessions. A versatile back who flashed big-play potential last season, Haynes is part of a deep backfield group. The staff expects him to be fully cleared within the next couple of weeks, pending a final medical evaluation.
Freshman wide receiver TJ Moore is also currently limited after suffering a mild ankle sprain in an early camp practice. The injury isn’t believed to be serious, but Moore will be held out of scrimmage action until the swelling subsides. As one of the most exciting newcomers in the 2025 class, his absence is a temporary setback in what was already becoming a strong camp performance.
Finally, tight end Markus Dixon has been sidelined with a muscle strain suffered during weight training sessions in July. Swinney indicated that Dixon is close to returning and may be back in team drills within the week. While he is not expected to be a primary contributor this season, the coaching staff views Dixon as a high-upside developmental piece at a position where depth is always in demand.
In total, Swinney’s injury update painted a mixed picture—none of the eight players are expected to miss significant chunks of the regular season, but their current limitations are impacting practice rotations and position competition. The staff has adjusted accordingly, giving younger players and backups increased reps in team drills.
“We’ve got a few guys banged up, but that’s camp,” Swinney said. “The biggest thing is we don’t have any long-term injuries right now, and that’s a blessing. We’ll use this time to grow our depth.”
That mindset reflects Swinney’s long-held philosophy of turning adversity into opportunity. While the absence of established players like Williams or Woodaz limits the first-team reps, it opens the door for underclassmen to make a statement. Freshmen like Bryant Wesco at receiver and Sammy Brown at linebacker are already seeing more snaps as a result and earning valuable experience.
The situation also underscores the importance of roster management in modern college football. With the transfer portal, NIL, and early NFL declarations constantly reshaping rosters, having reliable depth and a strong next-man-up culture is more important than ever. Clemson has built its program on internal development and positional flexibility, and this camp’s early injury wave is testing that infrastructure in real time.
Injuries during fall camp are often viewed with a level of anxiety by fan bases—and rightly so—but they also provide a glimpse into a team’s depth, resilience, and leadership. For Clemson, the fact that none of these injuries are season-ending is reassuring. What remains to be seen is how well the team navigates the short-term absences while continuing to build cohesion heading into the season opener.
As practices continue, Swinney emphasized that the medical staff will meet daily to reassess each player’s progress and determine when a return to full activity is appropriate. In some cases, such as Williams or Lewis, players could be cleared within days. In others, such as Pennington, a more cautious timeline is in play. Regardless, the goal remains clear: get everyone healthy and ready for September, even if that means erring on the side of caution in August.
Clemson’s upcoming schedule doesn’t afford much room for error. With early matchups that could have conference and national implications, the Tigers will need as close to a full complement of talent as possible. The next few weeks will determine how well the team can strike that balance between preparing physically and protecting its core contributors.
For now, though, the tone out of Tiger camp remains confident. Injuries are never ideal, but with Swinney’s transparency and the program’s track record of development, there’s little panic. The players rehabbing are progressing, the backups are getting better, and the staff has a clear plan. As August rolls on, the hope in Clemson is that the worst of the injury news is already behind them—and that the team will be whole and battle-ready when the games start to count.
