CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said defensive tackle Bryan Bresee does not have to play in Saturday’s game when the fifth-ranked Tigers host Louisiana Tech at Memorial Stadium.
“I am not sure right now,” Swinney said Tuesday when asked if Bresee will play on Saturday. “He will play if he wants to play. But he has more important things that he needs to focus on more than football.”
Currently, Bresee’s focus has been on his little sister, Ella. The 15-year-old was diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer last year. She was in Clemson last week, but she had a setback on Friday and was taken to the emergency room.
Ella was then air-lifted out of Clemson on Saturday morning to Washington, D.C. Bresee stayed back and played in the Tigers’ win over Furman, but he left to be by his sister’s side on Sunday. He was scheduled to stay a few days, but there is no official word from Clemson on if he has returned.
“There are a lot more important things than the game of football for that young man, right now,” Swinney said.
Thomas could return Saturday. After injuring his foot and having surgery last month, defensive end Xavier Thomas is almost ready to play again.
Swinney said during his weekly press conference that Thomas is really close.
“We are just kind of taking it day-by-day. He is right there,” Swinney said. “It will probably be a game-time decision on him.”
Davis will be a game-time decision. Swinney also said defensive tackle Tyler Davis will be a game-time decision.
“He is doing great,” Swinney said. “If he is not quite a hundred percent, then I am going to hold him. But he is close. He is doing (well).”
Davis got banged up in practice last week and was held out of the Furman game.
Clemson will host La. Tech at 8 p.m. this Saturday. The game will be televised on the ACC Network.
–photo courtesy of Clemson Athletic Communications
