The first ACC availability report for Virginia Tech at Clemson presents another challenge for the Tigers to sort out. Chad Morris will not have freshman wide receiver Gordon Sellars III available for this contest. He is working his way back from a concussion he recently suffered. Although Sellars only has three catches for eight yards on the season, he is a key depth piece in this receiving corps.
While the initial injury report does give positive signs toward defensive tackle Devarrick Woods and running back Jarvis Green returning, it may be more about Clemson finding ways to move the sticks aerially on this Virginia Tech defense than anything. Even if Christian Bentancur could be emerging at tight end, any player Tait Reynolds is comfortable with not being available is concerning for Clemson.
This is because Clemson will likely have to win this game in the second half. This is the part of the game where the Hokies are most vulnerable. While Clemson can play great defense, outstanding special teams, and occasionally look the part with the ground game, not having a reliable passing game could unravel the Tigers in the end. A third loss on the season would be incredibly devastating.
Only major change for Clemson is freshman WR Gordon Sellars III (concussion) being out, which Dabo Swinney mentioned earlier tonight. Depth guys like Devarrick Woods (DT) and Jarvis Green (RB) aren't listed, indicating they'll be available to play https://t.co/d6ai25JL48
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) October 22, 2026
Chad Morris must find ways to get the ball into his playmakers' hands
What Sellars' injury tells us coming in is that Clemson will now have one less role player available to potentially reignite a spark in this offense. This is the job Morris was hired to do. However, he can only make do with the players on this roster he inherited. Clemson just does not have the depth on the offensive side of the ball as it should. While Sellars was starting to come into his own, it is a setback.
The frustrating part is Clemson needed more than only the tight end wrinkle to unfurl in last week's win over Charleston Southern. Yes, it was great to see Chris Johnson Jr. finally come alive in the ground game, but the receiving corps left so much to be desired. The bulk of the passing offense was through the tight ends. Someone like Sellars needed to flash to help give Reynolds more confidence.
What Morris needs to do is go back to the drawing board to figure out ways he can inject any sort of explosiveness into this offense. Whether it be Johnson or Gideon Davidson out of the backfield, or really anyone in the passing game, Clemson needs to develop an ability to score points quickly in a hurry. It has been their biggest bugaboo all season long. Sellars could have been part of the solution.
As long as Clemson keeps it close heading into halftime, the Tigers will have a phenomenal chance at improving to 5-2 on the season and 3-1 in ACC play. This is because Virginia Tech will regularly blow leads in the second half. When Clemson goes up against a team it is as good as or better than, Tom Allen's defense shuts down the opposition after halftime. It will be up to Morris to score more points.
Sellars being out indicates that Morris must get even more creative with his offensive game planning.
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