Clemson QB Tait Reynolds' status unclear for Duke after knee injury vs. Georgia Tech

Clemson quarterback Tait Reynolds needs an MRI on the knee he hurt two plays into Saturday's 20-6 home loss to Georgia Tech. As of Sunday, the freshman's status for Friday's game at Duke is still open. Kickoff in Durham is Friday, November 20, on ESPN. A short week leaves him little time to recover.

Gameday Times reported that Reynolds got hurt sliding at the end of a seven-yard run, one play after a 24-yard run opened the game. He needed help leaving the field and was taken to the locker room after a check in the sideline tent. After the game, coach Dabo Swinney told the Aiken Standard that the knee had "locked up." He did not call it a tear, and he said the early read was that the injury would not be long-term. That read depends on the MRI, and Clemson has not given a diagnosis or a timeline.

The quarterback trouble did not end with Reynolds. Christopher Vizzina, who played most of the game in relief, took a hard hit near the sideline late in the game. According to the Aiken Standard, he was taken to a hospital afterward so doctors could evaluate his head and neck.

What it means for Clemson

Reynolds had taken over as the starter, and his running had become a real part of the offense. Without him, Clemson scored six points against a Georgia Tech team that came in 2-7. That was the Tigers' lowest total of the season and dropped them to 6-4. The offense has stalled before, with 10 points at LSU, 13 against Miami and 16 against Virginia Tech, all losses. Its best stretch was a 36-24 win at Florida State followed by an 18-13 win at Syracuse.

The Aiken Standard reported that Swinney named two options for Duke if neither Reynolds nor Vizzina can play. One is Trent Pearman, a fifth-year former walk-on who has thrown 29 career passes with three interceptions. Pearman went in first on Saturday and was pulled after three drives that produced nothing. The other is freshman Brock Bradley, who has thrown one pass this season. Swinney listed those two when asked whether receiver Chris Denson, a former quarterback, would take snaps at the position. The outlet reported that the evaluation starts at Sunday's practice.

Vizzina had already been playing hurt. He took painkiller shots to be available for Syracuse and Georgia Tech, and he finished Saturday with 133 passing yards and an interception on an ankle that was clearly not right. Clemson's run game added little support, with 86 yards on 34 carries behind its third-string running back, Jarvis Green.

What the market says

As of Sunday, Duke is a 74% favorite on the consensus of eight sportsbooks and prediction markets on the Clemson at Duke board. That is up a point from earlier in the day. The prediction markets are slightly higher on Duke at 75%, while the sportsbooks have them at 73%. Kalshi rates Duke highest at 75%, and Hard Rock Bet is lowest at 71%. Duke is favored by 8.5 points on the consensus spread, with venues ranging from 7.5 to 9.5. The total is 44.5, with a range up to 45.5.

The best Clemson moneyline as of Sunday is +280 at Kalshi, with Novig close behind at +277. The best Duke price is -300 at Hard Rock Bet, shorter than Kalshi's -360 and Novig's -365. On the spread, FanDuel has Clemson +9.5 at -115 and Hard Rock Bet has Duke -7.5 at -110. On the total, FanDuel has the over at 44.5 for -110 and BetRivers has the under at 45.5 for -109. Sportsbook hold on the moneyline runs from 4.1% to 6.1%.

These are the prices as of Sunday, after the news about both quarterbacks was out. Results from Reynolds' MRI or an update on Vizzina could move them before Friday.