Clemson DE injured in moped accident

Tony Crumpton by Assoc. Editor -

Clemson true freshmen Xavier Kelly suffered a foot injury while riding on a moped. Kelly was seen on campus and at football practice walking on crutches earlier in the day.

Brent Venables confirmed Kelly's injury and was asked about his availability against Auburn.

"I don't know," Venables said. "When do you have to make that decision? Three weeks in? I hope he can practice next week."

The team is still preparing the true freshman to travel to Auburn for the road opener.

"We were planning on playing him and having him ready maybe like Clelin (Ferrell) and see how guys develop and what we need," Venables said. "We were not ready to say he was a redshirt guy. We still may not. I think he will be practicing next week."

Venables said that he is just happy that Kelly was not more badly hurt in the moped accident.

"He's lucky to be alive," Venables said. "He got some scraps and abrasions and banged his head. I think he got some stitches on his toe. He's just very, very lucky, very fortunate."

Venables wish there was more safety in riding mopeds because it could lead to a very serious injury.

"I just wish they [Clemson players] would put helmets on, Venables said.

South Carolina doesn't require a helmet, but Venables joked helmets on players riding mopeds might need to become a Swinney law.

Kelly had 72 tackles, 39 first hits, 33 assists with 12 tackles for loss, and 8.5 sacks in nine games during his senior season in high school.

This injury comes on the heels of starting defensive end Austin Bryant suffering a "freaky" foot injury that he had to put a screw in his foot. Bryant will more than likely be out until the Georgia Tech game.