Clemson Tigers quarterback Deshaun Watson will make his much anticipated return Saturday when the Tigers square off against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. Watson had sat out the past three games with a broken hand, however, was available this past weekend had the team needed him versus Wake Forest. The extra week of rest allows the true freshman to be at 100% for the match up between two ranked teams. The game could prove to be a determining factor for bowl selection and having Watson healthy will be a huge boost for the Tigers.
“(Watson) will take all first-teams on Monday,” Swinney said per TigerIllustrated.com. “We wanted to get through Thursday and not play him. He was ready to go if we needed him. We weren’t sure at one point that Cole would be able to make it through but he was able to gut it out.”
Cole Stoudt started the team’s last three games throwing for 938 yards, four touchdowns and four interceptions. Stoudt began the season as the team’s top quarterback only to watch Watson surmount him atop the depth chart. The offense has looked like a completely different unit with Watson at the helm and hopes to not skip a beat in his return to action. In six games, Watson has thrown for 1,176 yards, 12 touchdowns and only two interceptions.
Still, both quarterbacks have played a major role in the team’s six game winning streak, which will be put to the test Saturday. The Tigers remain on the outside looking in per the ACC West standings as they trail Florida State by a game.
*Section Photo credit to Mary Ann Chastain, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Joshua S. Kelly, USA Today Sports
