COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Clemson All-America receiver Sammy Watkins won't play against Boston College because of an abdominal virus.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney announced Watkins status after practice Thursday. The team is scheduled to leave for Boston on Friday.

The absence of Watkins means the 17th-ranked Tigers (3-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) will be without two main players in their wide receiver rotation. On Tuesday, Clemson lost backup Martavis Bryant to a groin injury the sophomore suffered while working out at the team's strength facility.

Watkins will miss his third game of the season after sitting out Clemson's first two contests because of a suspension for an offseason drug arrest.