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Clemson Football: James Skalski is close to 100 percent & will play vs. ND

By Shawn Spencer

Oct 24, 2020; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson linebacker James Skalski (47) on the sidelines during their game against Syracuse at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2020; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson linebacker James Skalski (47) on the sidelines during their game against Syracuse at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports /
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Clemson football linebacker is close to 100 percent & is expected to play vs. Notre Dame

The Clemson football team is set to get back one of its top defenders and he’ll be at nearly 100 percent for the matchup against Notre Dame in the ACC Championship game.

The last time we saw the Clemson football team play, we saw the ‘quarterback of the defense’ in James Skalski play one series and then sit the rest of the game against the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney told the media after the matchup that Skalski had a little bit of soreness and they held him out just as precaution.

As we head into the ACC Championship against the No. 2-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish, though, there is little doubt that the Clemson football team needs Skalski to be back on the field and to be healthy.

At his weekly meeting with the media, Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said that he’s not sure exactly where Skalski is on the rehab scale, but that he has looked as good as he has since he originally went down with the groin injury.

"“We feel like he’s going to be close to, if not 100 percent,” Venables said Monday via ClemsonSI. “He’s practicing today. He was very ambitious about getting back as early as he did. Just a wonderful job by (head trainer) Danny Pool and the staff in our training room.”"

Clemson football needs to have a healthy Skalski back in the worst kind of way

If you want to slow down that Notre Dame offense- that put up 47 points and more than 500 yards of offense a little over a month ago- it all starts with getting Skalski back on the field and having him healthy.

According to Venables, Skalski is closing in on 100 percent and that’s an extremely encouraging sign if you’re a Tiger fan.

Notre Dame took advantage of a mixed up linebacker core the last time it played Clemson and the Fighting Irish won’t have that asset this time around, at least we hope so.

Skalski is the leader and heart of this defense. The unit just looks different when he’s on the field and that’s a testament to his leadership and skill.

dark. Next. ACC completely whiffed on commissioner hiring

Clemson and Notre Dame will do battle at 4 p.m. this Saturday in Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte for the ACC Championship.

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