Hilton Head, S.C.: Clemson loses CB Corian Gipson for the season

HILTON HEAD, S.C. — Readers in Hilton Head, S.C., following South Carolina college football will see a thinner Clemson secondary the rest of the season. Head coach Dabo Swinney said Monday, Oct. 5, that starting nickel back Corian Gipson needs surgery on the meniscus in his knee and will probably be out for a few months.

Gipson first hurt the knee ahead of the North Carolina game on Sept. 19 and did not travel for the California game the next week. He re-aggravated the injury in Clemson’s 41-13 loss to Miami on Oct. 3, when he recorded five tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. After another MRI, team doctors recommended surgery. In his third season and first as a full-time starter, Gipson finishes the year with 17 tackles.

Swinney listed several options at nickel, including senior Misun Kelley, cornerback Donovan Starr, safety Ronan Hanafin and Marcell Gipson. Running back Jarvis Green will miss Clemson’s next game but should return after that, Swinney said.

Clemson is 3-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play and is off this week. The Tigers return at home against Charleston Southern at noon on Saturday, Oct. 17.