Clemson Tigers wide receiver Mike Williams suffered a small fracture in his neck on Saturday when the Tigers beat Wofford 49-10, according to ClemsonTigers.com.
Head coach Dabo Swinney said that there is no timetable for Williams' return and he could miss the entire season.
"Mike is doing well, he can walk and will be at class tomorrow. He will wear a brace and will be reevaluated again in about six weeks. I can't say how long he will be out," Swinney said via ClemsonTigers.com. Swinney also said that Clemson is very thankful for the overall prognosis and that he will be able to play football again.
Williams was injured while making a four-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. After making the catch at the back of the endzone, Wiliams slammed into the padded goal post and went to the ground. After the play Williams was put on a stretcher and carted off the field.
The junior receiver is a big player for the Tigers, as he grabbed 57 catches last season, and totaled 1,030 yards receiving. Clemson will need other players to step up in his place, and Swinney hinted that Charone Peake is likely to move to the receiver position that Williams normally holds. The Tigers will hope for more big plays from freshman receiver Ray-Ray McCloud, who led the Tigers with eight catches for 80 yards in his Clemson debut.
Williams was a big part of Clemson's plans for this season. Clemson was 10-3 last season and went 6-2 in the ACC. Clemson has been behind Florida State in the Atlantic division of the conference for a couple seasons now, and the loss of a top receiver doesn't help its chances.