Tyler Davis Out with Injury; Lyn-J Dixon to the Transfer Portal.

After a tumultuous first three weeks of the season, Clemson got two pieces of bad news Monday night. First, star defensive tackle Tyler Davis will be out 7-8 weeks. Davis, who missed game one against Georgia with a positive COVID test, will undergo surgery this week to repair a torn tendon in his bicep.

Losing Davis is a huge blow to the Tigers’ defense not just as a force on the inside but as an energetic leader. Clemson has gotten great work so far from Ruke Orhororo and Tre Williams in place of Davis. This is also an opportunity for Bryan Bresee to continue to be an anchor of the defense despite nursing a shoulder injury himself.

The other news is that Lyn-J Dixon is entering the transfer portal. Interestingly enough, Lyn-J was listed as RB3 on Clemson’s depth chart that was released Monday afternoon, but it appears that Lyn-J’s career with the Tiger football team is done. Dabo mentioned that Lyn-J is planning to graduate this December.

Dixon got the start against SC State but has really been used sparingly this season. Despite providing some spark in his carries, disciplinary issues seem to be a problem. After the SC State game, Dabo referenced that Lyn-J needed to “grow up” and that he had been in CJ Spiller’s “doghouse.” Against Georgia Tech, Lyn-J had 5 rushes for 11 yards and 1 catch for -7 yards.

While Kobe Pace and Will Shipley are listed at co-starters on the depth chart, this may indicate that Shipley has established himself as RB1 and Dixon didn’t see a chance for himself to get on the field. Dixon is the second Clemson RB to transfer from this running back room, after Chez Mellusi left for Wisconsin during the offseason. This may change the plan for freshman RB Phil Mafah to redshirt.