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Clemson football: Joseph Ngata out vs. Pitt; Tigers can’t catch a break

By Shawn Spencer

Sep 11, 2021; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Justyn Ross (8) and wide receiver Joseph Ngata (10) before the game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; Clemson, South Carolina, USA; Clemson Tigers wide receiver Justyn Ross (8) and wide receiver Joseph Ngata (10) before the game against the South Carolina State Bulldogs at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Clemson football team will be making the trip up to Pittsburgh this weekend without one of its top playmakers on an offense that has already faced its fair share of struggles.

Multiple outlets have now reported that WR Joseph Ngata will be out due to COVID protocol. 

Through the first six games of the season, Ngata has 18 receptions for 352 yards and a touchdown. Ngata has been the most productive and reliable wide receiver on the team this season and not having him against a Pittsburgh team that is going to press up and force D.J. Uiagalelei to beat them is a big loss.

In addition to not having Ngata, two other Clemson wide receivers are not likely to playing in the game Saturday. Frank Ladson Jr. (groin) and E.J. Williams (knee & thumb) are both rehabbing and while the Tigers are hopeful they can go, there has been no indication from Dabo Swinney that they’ll be ready this weekend.

If they’re not able to go, that will leave Clemson with Justyn Ross, Ajou Ajou, Beaux Collins, Dacari Collins and Troy Stellato as notable scholarship players available.

Clemson football can’t catch a break in 2021, there’s really no way around it

It seems like anytime something goes right for Clemson, three other things go wrong.

The Tigers are already piling up an injured list the size of The Oculus with names like Tyler Davis, Bryan Bresee, Will Shipley (who is a game time decision), Lannden Zanders, and plenty of others, and now they’ve got two offensive starters– C Hunter Rayburn (who went into protocol last week) and WR Joseph Ngata– out due to protocol.

You want to talk about not being able to catch a break?

This Clemson offense hasn’t been able to move the ball effectively at full-strength and now you could be talking about an extremely thin wide receiver room to make things even worse.

The hope is that they’ll find a way to overcome all the adversity and beat a Pittsburgh team that could be considered the favorite to win the ACC by many on the road, but it’s certainly not looking promising as we head into the weekend.

Next. Gamecock writer says Dabo Swinney's not a great coach. dark

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