Clemson star tailback Shipley out vs. Notre Dame

Clemson star tailback Will Shipley, the team’s leading rusher, has been ruled out for Saturday’s game against No. 15 Notre Dame.

Shipley entered concussion protocol since taking a hit in Clemson’s loss to NC State last week and did not progress enough to return Saturday. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney had called him “day-to-day” this week.

Shipley averages 4.6 yards per carry and is considered Clemson’s top offensive player. He has rushed for 515 yards and accounted for five touchdowns this season.

The loss of Shipley is a setback for the Clemson offense, which ranks No. 63 nationally in scoring offense (28.8). Notre Dame enters the game with the country’s No. 9 scoring defense (15.3).

Shipley is a junior who has run for 2,436 career yards, including 1,182 last season. He’s averaging 1 yard less per carry this season — 4.6 compared with 5.6 in 2022.

He’s also a pivotal part of Clemson’s pass offense, with 20 receptions this season for 120 yards.

In addition to Shipley, Clemson announced it will be without three defensive starters against Notre Dame: safety Jalyn Phillips, cornerback Sheridan Jones and defensive end Justin Mascoll. Phillips has started all eight games for Clemson and ranks fourth on the team with 34 tackles, to go along with five pass breakups.

Jones, who missed an Oct. 7 game against Wake Forest but has started all seven other games, has 25 tackles, including two for loss, and an interception. Mascoll will miss his second straight game after starting the first seven. He has 20 tackles, including three for loss, and three quarterback hurries. Freshman T.J. Parker is listed a co-starter with Mascoll on the team’s depth chart.

The Tigers also will be without left guard Marcus Tate, who has started every game this season and has 27 career starts. Junior Trent Howard could start in Tate’s place.

Clemson’s secondary already was without starting safety R.J. Mickens, who underwent an appendectomy last week. Backup safety Sherrod Covil Jr., also is out for the Notre Dame game.

Clemson is 4-4 after consecutive losses to Miami and NC State.

Information from ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg was used in this report.