The status of Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, already the most talked-about ankle in college football, has been moved from "day to day" to the far more positive "hour to hour."
"We've just been taking our time with him," Swinney told the media Wednesday evening. "He's gone from day to day to hour to hour... literally, getting better every hour."
Swinney confirmed the team is managing the situation with extreme caution.
"We've just been smart with him," Swinney reiterated, adding that Klubnik has "been able to do what he needed to do" within the confines of his recovery plan.
But the real bombshell came when Swinney was asked how the uncertainty has affected the practice reps for his backup quarterbacks. For the first time, he laid out the contingency plan in no uncertain terms.
"Yeah, I mean, those guys took a ton of work, and done a great job," Swinney said of his backups. Then came the money line that sent ripples through the fanbase: "If Cade can't go, CV's the guy, for sure."
The "CV" in question is redshirt sophomore Christopher Vizzina, who would be thrust into the spotlight. Swinney didn't hesitate to voice his trust in the young QB.
"Got confidence he could go get it done," he stated.
This declaration solidifies the depth chart and adds another layer of drama to the week. While the primary focus remains on Klubnik's recovery, Clemson is actively preparing for life without him, even if for just one game.
An official injury report is expected Thursday night, but until then, Death Valley holds its collective breath. Is Klubnik's constant improvement a sign he'll be ready for kickoff, or is the "hour to hour" status a prelude to Christopher Vizzina's moment? As Swinney himself said, things are changing by the hour.