Clemson gets great Elyjah Thurmon news as Miami's secondary takes another hit

The Clemson Tigers received good news on the injury front heading into the Miami game, while the Hurricanes will have to navigate another frustrating injury. In Friday evening's ACC injury report, two Clemson players who had been listed as questionable are now probable: guard Elyjah Thurmon and reserve defensive end Armon Mason. Miami will not have key defensive back Xavier Lucas available.

Thurmon had to exit last week's game versus Cal with an injury. He gave way to Gavin Blanchard, who played solidly filling in for him. Mason has played sparingly this year, but having him available is only a good thing for the Tigers. As for Miami, the Hurricanes have not have Lucas suiting up for them since their dominating Week 1 victory over the Stanford Cardinal to begin ACC play. Miami is so banged up.

Here is the rest of the ACC availability report heading into Saturday night's home game versus Miami.

Clemson Tigers guard Elyjah Thurmon: Probable

Getting Thurmon back is significant. While Miami is not as strong in the pass rush as it was a season ago, any familiarity true freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds can have in front of him is a blessing. Although Blanchard did play well in relief of Thurmon, Clemson has to be firing on all cylinders along the offensive line to have a realistic shot at defeating Miami. At least the Tigers now have some depth.

What Clemson needs to do behind Thurmon is to get the ball to star running back Gideon Davidson a ton. Miami head coach Mario Cristobal knows how explosive a playmaker Davidson is out of the Clemson backfield. While there are many ways Clemson can lose this game, it is next to impossible for the Tigers to win it without a great performance out of Davidson. Thurmon can help in that regard.

Not only will this be Clemson's biggest test of the season, but this offensive line has to grow up fast.

Miami Hurricanes defensive back Xavier Lucas: Out

Lucas being out has him joining Ja'Boree Antoine and OJ Frederique Jr. on the Miami bench. While the Hurricanes have not been challenged by much of anyone in the passing game, regardless of how Wake Forest Demon Deacons head coach Jake Dickert feels about the matter, Clemson might not have the aerial attack to exploit Miami as much as offensive coordinator Chad Morris may want to.

Clemson does have explosive players at wide receiver in TJ Moore and Bryant Wesco Jr., to name a few. While holding Lucas out for another game could signify that Miami thinks it can beat Clemson without him, there may be some bad weather to navigate as well. Why would Cristobal want to force a player out there in less-than-ideal conditions in a game where Miami is favored by two touchdowns?

Regardless, Lucas being out does help the Clemson offense ever so slightly versus Miami in Week 5.

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