Clemson Football Monday Practice Report

Sept. 21, 2009

Clemson, SC – The Clemson football team practiced for 80 minutes in the Indoor Track facility on Monday evening. The Tigers were forced inside due to the all day and night rain storm that hit the Clemson area. The Tigers face 15th ranked TCU on Saturday at Clemson Memorial Stadium at 3:30 PM.

“We got something done, but it was not the same as being able to go full speed on a 100-yard field,” said Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney. The Tigers practiced on a 50-yard field in the indoor facility on Monday.

“We went over a lot of assignments. Mondays are not physical practices, you go over the mistakes from the previous game and start on the next opponent.”

In addition to the rain, Swinney was also faced with players missing practice due to the flu. Six players missed the practice with the flu. Jarvis Jenkins, Clemson starting defensive tackle, was home in bed, while five other players were at practice viewing from the bleachers wearing masks to guard against spreading the flu. Those players were starting center Jamarcus Grant, Kenneth Page. All are offensive linemen.

Grant missed Saturday’s game with Boston College with the flu. He is improved and no longer has a high temperature, but was held out on Monday as he continues to recover.

Many of the Clemson players wore masks throughout the day to prevent catching the flu from teammates. After practice, Swinney addressed the team on the subject and continued to emphasize the importance of washing their hands and being as careful as possible.

Clemson running back C.J. Spiller was at practice, but was limited in his participation. He has had a toe injury since the first game and has been limited in practice ever since.

“C.J. is better than he was at this time last Monday. He will be ready on Saturday.” Spiller has had 459 all-purpose yards over the last two games, the highest two-game total of his Clemson career.

Clemson starting offensive tackle Chris Hairston was also at practice, but did not participate as he recovers from a sprained knee suffered in the second half of the Boston College game. He hopes to return to practice by Wednesday.