In the wake of another hard-fought victory, the primary concern wasn't the final score, but the final play for quarterback Cade Klubnik, who was seen limping after a late-game scramble.
During his weekly Sunday evening teleconference, head coach Dabo Swinney addressed the issue head-on, confirming the team's biggest question mark moving forward.
"And, uh, you know, health-wise, uh, biggest thing was Cade, as y'all know, spraining his ankle, so…" Swinney stated, confirming the fears of many who watched the QB's gritty performance.
The news casts a shadow over preparations for next week's crucial matchup. While Swinney expressed a degree of optimism, he made it clear that his star quarterback's practice participation will be carefully managed in the coming days.
"Um, you know, I think you'll be okay, probably be limited here, uh, for sure today and tomorrow," Swinney explained, outlining the initial plan. He suggested the workload will increase incrementally, adding that they will "probably ramp up as the week goes, but…"
The "but" hangs in the air, leaving Klubnik's game-day status uncertain.
Beyond the scare to the team's leader, Swinney conveyed that the Tigers emerged relatively unscathed from a physical contest. He quickly pivoted to the team's overall condition, offering a positive report that should come as a relief.
"Um, other than that, uh, we're in a pretty good spot, and…" Swinney said, signaling no other major injuries were suffered.
Despite the obvious concern for his quarterback, Swinney closed his update on a high note, praising his team's effort and resilience in securing the win. The focus, for him, remains on the collective effort that led to the victory.
"Just, uh, proud of the guys," he concluded.