CLEMSON, S.C. — The Clemson, S.C., football team will be without defensive back Corian Gipson for the rest of the 2026 season. Head coach Dabo Swinney said Monday, Oct. 5, that Gipson needs surgery on the meniscus in his knee and will probably be out for a few months.
Gipson, the Tigers’ starting nickel back, first hurt the knee ahead of the North Carolina game on Sept. 19 and did not make the trip to play California the next week. He re-aggravated the injury in the 41-13 loss to Miami on Oct. 3, a game in which he recorded five tackles, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. After another MRI, team doctors recommended surgery. Gipson, in his third season and first as a full-time starter, finishes the year with 17 tackles.
Swinney listed several options at nickel, including senior Misun Kelley, cornerback Donovan Starr, safety Ronan Hanafin and Marcell Gipson.
Running back Jarvis Green will miss the next game but should return after that, Swinney said. Defensive lineman Kourtney Kelly, who has not played for Clemson since tearing an ACL in spring practice, could return for that game if he responds well to his first live work this week and next.
Clemson, 3-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play, is off this week. The Tigers return to action at home against Charleston Southern at noon on Saturday, Oct. 17.
