Clemson football bounced back on Saturday with a 59-35 win over NC State, and junior receiver Adam Randall played a key role in the Tigers’ offense. Randall recorded five catches for a career-high 69 yards and a touchdown, leading the team’s receiving efforts. After the game, head coach Dabo Swinney revealed that Randall had been playing through a significant injury that will now keep him out for some time.
“Adam Randall broke his foot last Monday,” Swinney said. “He has a stress fracture in his toe, but he was determined to play. We’ve known since last Monday that he would need surgery this Monday to insert a screw in his toe.”
Swinney added, “He’ll be out for a couple of games… He’s always been a fast healer, but we’ll see. It’s tough for him, but it was amazing to see him perform like that.”
Swinney anticipates Randall’s return either against Virginia on Oct. 19 or Louisville on Nov. 2.
How will Clemson football‘s offense deal with Randall’s absence?
Clemson will undoubtedly feel the impact of Adam Randall’s absence in the next few games. While he didn’t record a catch in the Week 1 blowout loss to Georgia, Randall has led the Tigers with nine receptions over the last two games. The Myrtle Beach native has taken on a larger role this season, following a 2023 campaign where he ranked fifth in receiving yards (250) and sixth in receptions (22).
Freshman wideout Bryant Wesco, who impressed with three catches for 130 yards and a touchdown in the Week 2 victory over Appalachian State, also dealt with an injury on Saturday. He played only 16 snaps due to an upper-body issue. Coach Swinney mentioned that Wesco is “banged up” but assured that the freshman “will be alright.”
With Randall sidelined, sophomore receiver Antonio Williams and senior tight end Jake Briningstool will step up to lead Clemson’s receiving corps. Williams has tallied 12 receptions for 159 yards and three touchdowns so far this season, while Briningstool has posted 12 catches for 155 yards and two scores.
Clemson aims to continue their winning streak when they host Stanford this week, followed by challenging road matchups against Florida State and Wake Forest.
