Just before the start of the fourth period, Bryant returned to the Tigers sideline in uniform but without a helmet.
“He got hit in the chest — he had a chest bruise,” Swinney confirmed to reporters after the game. “He’s good."
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Bryant, a senior, amassed 24 total touchdowns last season and is a focal point of No. 2 Clemson’s offense. He was 7 of 10 throwing for 68 yards and an interception before his exit. It was unclear what play might have caused him to leave the game.
Freshman Trevor Lawrence replaced Bryant and went 12 of 19 for 194 yards with a touchdown and interception. Fellow freshman Chase Brice completed two passes late in the fourth quarter with Clemson already well on its way to a 38-7 win.
While Clemson won’t play another currently ranked team during the regular season, going from a senior to a rookie under center for any length of time after this week could have serious repercussions.
