Clemson at LSU injury report: Collin Sadler's availability may come down to the wire

It will not be easy for Clemson to knock off LSU in Baton Rouge on Saturday night. However, Dabo Swinney's Tigers do seem to be mostly healthy coming in, with a few key exceptions... While true freshman Polo Anderson has been listed as out for the season with a torn ACL for a few weeks now, seeing starting right tackle Collin Sadler show up on the injury report coming in was a bit alarming.

Outside of its wide receiver room, Clemson's offensive line is arguably its best unit coming into this season. Sadler has been with the program since 2022. As one of the primary leaders along the offensive line, his potential absence could be problematic for Clemson. Factor in Vic Burley being suspended indefinitely along the defensive line, and Clemson could be vulnerable in the trenches.

With hours to go before kickoff, here is the latest injury report for Clemson ahead of the LSU game.

RT Collin Sadler: Questionable

Sadler has been listed as questionable for Saturday night's game at LSU. With this being a non-conference game, Clemson and LSU do not have to disclose what injury each player has coming in. If this is a lingering one for Sadler, we should be getting some clarity ahead of the Tigers' ACC opener vs. North Carolina in a few weeks. For now, we will need to monitor this situation at hand for Clemson.

In the event that Sadler cannot give it a go for Clemson versus LSU, look for freshman Easton Ware or sophomore Mason Wade to potentially fill that void. Other offensive linemen such as senior Chapman Pendergrass or junior Ian Reed could move over to the right side of the offensive line if need be. Brayden Jacobs has the left tackle spot locked down, but Clemson might need help at right tackle.

With Clemson ushering in a new starting quarterback in Christopher Vizzina, this may be a big issue.

DT Vic Burley: Suspended indefinitely

With defensive tackle Vic Burley still away from the team after his late-summer arrest, Clemson's issues along the defensive line have been magnified. In years past, defensive line play had been a driving force for this program. However, it could be the one area of the defense that holds the entire team back. If Clemson cannot stop the run, then it could have a difficult time playing from behind.

Thankfully, Clemson does have a promising junior college transfer in Andy Burburija on the roster, poised to make some noise. This may be a huge step up in competition for him, but he certainly turned heads during fall camp because of his tenacity and brute strength. He may be undersized, but that did not stop Grady Jarrett from becoming a Clemson legend and a star in the NFL with Atlanta.

It will surely present itself quickly if Burburija will be up to the task of replacing Burley versus LSU.

S Polo Anderson: Out for season

During training camp, there was only one devastating injury sustained by Clemson. Unfortunately, the promising four-star true freshman Anderson suffered a torn ACL during the middle part of summer practice. He may have only just gotten onto campus back in spring semester, but he was slated to carve out at least some variation of a rotational role within the context of Tom Allen's secondary.

He may have only been third on the depth chart at free safety, but his extended absence will put even more pressure on Corey Myrick and Kylon Griffin in the defensive backfield. While Griffin has been at Clemson since 2022, Myrick just transferred over from Southern Miss after having initially played for Charles Huff at Marshall in 2024. Jakarrion Kenan and Kylen Webb might get some more playing time.

Clemson should be better in the defensive backfield by default after last year, but this doesn't help.

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