For Clemson to achieve all it can this basketball season, Brad Brownell needs for his rotation to be at full strength in time for ACC play. The health of two players in particular with sophomore guard Zac Foster and senior forward Carter Welling working their way back from torn ACLs is especially critical. Brownell provided a health update on these two key contributors for Clemson during the ACC Tipoff.
Brownell said Foster "just recently got back and [is] starting practicing a little bit." He tore his ACL last fall, so his return to the hardwood should be coming up in short order. However, it might take a little while longer for Welling to return to the court. Brownell mentioned that he is "a couple months away" from playing after having torn his ACL back in March. Could Welling be ready in time come January?
Last year saw Foster average 6.9 points, 2.8 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game during his freshman season out of Woodward Academy in Atlanta. While he only played 12 games for the Tigers, Foster certainly turned heads whenever he was out on the floor. As for Welling, the Utah Valley transfer averaged 10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 1.1 assists per game in 32 contests for the Tigers last year.
Clemson MBB coach Brad Brownell says sophomore G Zac Foster, who tore his ACL last fall, "just recently got back and starting practicing a little bit." Also says senior F Carter Welling, who tore his ACL in March, is "a couple months away" from being in a position to play
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) October 7, 2026
Zac Foster expected to return from torn ACL sooner than Carter Welling
The good news from Foster's injury update is Clemson may become more dynamic in the backcourt sooner rather than later. Getting him back from injury could help the Tigers be a little more settled in terms of ball-handling. Ace Buckner may do the heavy lifting with Notre Dame transfer Cole Certa alongside him. With Dillon Hunter's status in limbo, Harris Reynolds might have to contribute early on.
As the Tigers wait and see if Hunter will be eligible for a fifth season or not, the notion that Foster could be back here shortly is only positive for Clemson. Buckner may be asked to do more than he can handle right away, but he may be getting reinforcements from Foster during the non-conference part of Clemson's schedule. If Hunter returns, then great. If not, then Reynolds will have to step up.
As for Welling, that is where this gets tricky. He was a huge part of Clemson's success a season ago in the frontcourt. RJ Godfrey is no longer part of the program. As with Hunter, he remains ineligible, but is trying to suit up for Tommy Lloyd's Arizona Wildcats if he can. In the meantime, Clemson will have to lean on Dylan Faulkner and David Fuchs as the two starting players in the Tigers' frontcourt.
Right now, we should expect for Foster to make his return to the Clemson rotation before the end of 2026. Unfortunately when it comes to Welling, it may be closer to January or February for when he can return. In short, any game Welling appears in before ACC play commences should be seen as an added bonus. As for Foster, he needs to have rounded into form long before Welling is ready to rock.
As long as Clemson stays healthy in the first few months of the season, the Tigers can survive this.
Add us as a preferred source on Google