Report: Clemson makes final call on Xavier Thomas for Wake Forest game

Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas will not play vs. Wake Forest in Week 4, according to a report.

That’s per ESPN’s Pete Thamel, who noted that Thomas did not make the trip to Winston-Salem for this game. He’s still nursing a foot injury he suffered back in fall camp.

However, Thomas is expected to be healthy enough to play vs. NC State at home next weekend:

There was a chance Thomas could play this week, but he’s expected to return for the NC State game next week. That game was the expected target for his return all along.

— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 24, 2022

Coach Dabo Swinney had previously hinted that Thomas could return for this game. However, he evidently was not able to make enough progress throughout the week.

Clemson’s defensive line does get back a pair of key pieces this week in Tyler Davis and Bryan Bresee. That duo of interior linemen will be key for Clemson to pull off the road win on Saturday afternoon.

Clemson has won 13 straight meetings with Wake Forest. Kickoff is at 12 p.m. ET on ABC.