Clemson WR Justyn Ross Dealing With 'Stinger Symptoms'

Clemson receiver Justyn Ross suffered an injury that's caused "stinger symptoms" this week, but it's not expected to be serious, coach Dabo Swinney said.

Clemson receiver Justyn Ross suffered an injury that's caused "stinger symptoms" this week, but it's not expected to be serious, coach Dabo Swinney announced Wednesday.

Swinney said the injury "wasn't much at all and then he was fine," but the doctors want to be precautious so he's being held out of contact. 

"He got banged up the other day. He's perfectly fine," Swinney said. "He did all the individuals. They're trying to be precautionary with him because he had some stinger symptoms lingering. He's fine now but they want to make sure there's no bigger issue or anything like that. Hopefully, when we get back (from spring break), we'll have more information at that time." 

When asked if Ross could miss the final five practices and the spring game, Swinney said he had "no idea. He looks great to me." 

A stinger is a common nerve injury to the neck and shoulder areas. 

As a sophomore, Ross led Clemson with 66 receptions in 2019 and was second behind Tee Higgins with 865 yards and eight touchdowns. 

Clemson held its final practice before spring break Wednesday with a scrimmage inside Memorial Stadium. The Tigers are off until March 23. 

Spring game update

With the Coronavirus affecting sports nationwide, Swinney was asked Wednesday if there's been conversations about canceling Clemson's annual spring game, which is scheduled for April 4. 

"I’m sure there’s been all kinds of talk about anything and everything," Swinney said. "We’ll do whatever they tell us to do. I think everybody out there’s got a plan, if that then this, if this then that. No talk of that right now. We all know that can change day-to-day." 

First scrimmage better than last year

Clemson's first full scrimmage of the spring season thrilled Swinney.

"This was a way better first scrimmage than our first scrimmage last spring," Swinney said. "Way better, much more competitive. Really all the groups were much more competitive. I saw a lot of good things. We’ve still got a lot we need to improve mentally. There were some miscues, but I thought they competed as far as wins and losses."

LeAnthony Williams produced the only turnover of the day via an interception. The rising redshirt junior has had “a good nine days” of spring practice, Swinney said.

Swinney said receivers Frank Ladson and Amari Rodgers had their best practices of the spring, but Swinney’s standout of the day was receiver Cornell Powell, who had a big one-handed catch.