Clemson WR Tyler Brown questionable for Syracuse as Tigers' injury list keeps growing

Clemson may be without starting slot receiver Tyler Brown on Saturday at Syracuse. The junior is listed as questionable on the ACC's mandatory availability report, Clemson Tigers On SI reported. He has carried that tag since the conference put out its first report earlier in the week. The report gives no injury, TigerNet noted. Freshman wideout Gordon Sellars III is also questionable, with a concussion according to Yahoo Sports.

Brown's status matters because of what the offense has already lost. The Greenville native has become a regular target on late downs for true freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds, and SI credits him with 36 catches for more than 300 yards. The Clemson Insider noted he has added 83 rushing yards and a touchdown. Running back Gideon Davidson, center Harris Sewell and left guard Elyjah Thurmon are all out, so Clemson would be missing four offensive starters if Brown sits as well. Twelve Tigers are listed as out in total, including linebacker Kobe McCloud, receiver Cole Turner and defensive tackle Markus Strong.

The replacements are young. Jarvis Green is in line for his first career start at running back, and true freshman Grant Wise takes over at center. Dabo Swinney said Wise is ready for it, telling Clemson Tigers On SI, "He's played in big games."

Syracuse has health problems of its own. Backup quarterbacks Malachi Nelson and Amari Odom are both out, and starter Steve Angeli has been listed as questionable on consecutive reports. The Clemson Insider reported that defensive end Tunmise Adeleye is also questionable.

What it means for Saturday

The Tigers are 5-3 overall and 3-2 in the ACC. They won 36-24 at Florida State last week, a week after a 20-16 home loss to Virginia Tech. All three Clemson losses came in games where the offense was held to 16 points or fewer, so a thinner skill group is a real concern. Clemson is 2-1 on the road. SI noted that the Tigers still need a Wake Forest conference loss to stay in the ACC title race, which leaves little room for a slip.

Syracuse is 4-4 and 2-4 in league play, and its last two wins came by a combined four points: 31-30 at North Carolina and 30-27 over No. 19 SMU. The Orange are 2-2 at home this season. Angeli's availability may decide the game more than anything on Clemson's report.

The board shows a modest edge for Clemson across 12 venues. Novig has the Tigers favored at -130 on the moneyline, with Syracuse at +125. On the spread, Clemson is favored by 2.5 at -106 on Novig. The total sits at 49.5 there, with the over at -104 and the under at +102. The best under price elsewhere is BetRivers at -122 on 50.5. Sportsbook hold runs from 3.0% to 6.5% on the moneyline and up to 7.0% on the spread and total, so the gap between venues is wider than the gap between the two teams. Kickoff is set for noon at the JMA Wireless Dome on ESPN2.