Jadeveon Clowney injury watch: Updates on the most important rib in the world

Finebaum will appear frequently on the SEC Network, which is launching next year.

Clowney started South Carolina’s game against Arkansas, but the ongoing controversy surrounding his, and South Carolina’s, handling of the injury doesn’t seem to be calming down anytime soon.

Early Saturday morning, ESPN College Gameday host Chris Fowler said that Clowney did not ride with the team to Donald W. Reynolds Stadium, joking that he missed the bus because Spurrier “drove the bus over him.” Spurrier was critical of his star defensive end in a press conference after last week’s win over Kentucky.

Most who heard Fowler’s comment thought he was telling a joke.

During his weekly call-in show on Thursday evening, Steve Spurrier spoke in slightly less optimistic tones about Clowney’s availability on Saturday:

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Clowney has been accused of taking plays off and having poor stamina, but Rotoworld found that Clowney’s playing time is actually quite similar to NFL players at the same position.

Those numbers do not include South Carolina’s win over Kentucky, which Clowney missed with an injury.

“If he wants to play, we will welcome him to come play for the team if he wants,” Spurrier said Saturday.

On Tuesday, Spurrier again clarified the situation, softening his stance and defending Clowney, whom he praised for his impact on the South Carolina program.

Clowney’s injury caught the South Carolina coaches by surprise, and head coach Steve Spurrier seemed upset that his junior lineman could not play. Spurrier made the same kind of comments Monday, but sounded a little more defensive of his star player this time:

The former consensus top-ranked high school recruit in the country, Clowney had 12 tackles for loss his freshman year before a breakout season last year in which he had 23.5 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. This year, while struggling with injury, he has just three tackles for loss and two sacks in four games.

No. 13 South Carolina eked out a 35-28 win over Kentucky, their third straight win by ten points or less. The Gamecocks were favored by more than three touchdowns in the contest.

Defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward seemed to echo Spurrier’s sentiment.

The rib injury kept Clowney from participating in practice on Thursday but at the time it was not expected to keep him from playing against the Wildcats. Clowney has battled a number of setbacks this season, including bone spurs in his right foot and flu-like symptoms.

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