Clemson QB Deshaun Watson bruised his shoulder in the first half against Syracuse on Saturday, according to the school, and didn't start the second half of the game. The school said he would be available to play in the second half, but he didn't take any second-half snaps. Clemson won 54-0.
After the game, Watson iced the shoulder but said he felt no pain, per ESPN.
Clemson led the Orange comfortably entering the half at 30-0, so there was immediate no need to play him. Watson, a junior and one of the top quarterback prospects in college football, had completed 13 of 16 passes for 169 yards and two scores, plus a rushing touchdown, prior to suffering the injury.
Watson will decide after the season whether to apply for early eligibility in the 2017 NFL Draft. He has been compared to Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota, although success hasn't come easily for Watson this season. He apologized early in the season for projecting a negative energy, and he hasn't been as sharp this season as he was a year ago.
Nevertheless, Watson's leadership and clutch play late in the fourth quarter of a win over rival Florida State has helped keep Clemson undefeated. Behind Watson, the Tigers are ranked No. 2 in the College Football Playoff rankings.
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