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Clemson's Swinney: Watson may start even if not 100 percent vs. South Carolina

Brett Davis / USA TODAY Sports

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney might have given a little clarity in regards to the team's quarterback situation.

During his weekly press conference Tuesday, Swinney said that quarterback Deshaun Watson should be the team's starter even if he's not at optimal health, according to Tony Crumpton of TigerNet.com.

"As long as he can do the things we need him to do in our offense, he's our starter. He has proven that, but he has got to be able to do those things. We can't change our offense. He has got to be able to play, execute, he has got to be able to escape. He has to be able to run our system and those are things that he has to be able to demonstrate throughout the week in practice," Swinney said.

The coach also stated that the Tigers' freshman has been sporting a new knee brace for his sprained MCL.

He will evaluate Watson's work in practice, but he will still make the official designation closer to game time. 

"He just needs to be able to do things to run our offense. He's not going to be at his 100 percent. To be honest with you, very few players out there are 100 percent when you're in your 12th game of the season - for either team. He's got to be able to execute at a high level for us, that's for sure," 

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