Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence has tested positive for COVID-19, head coach Dabo Swinney confirmed on Thursday. NFL Network was first to report the news.
“Trevor has authorized us this evening to announce that he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now in isolation,” Swinney said in a statement. “He is doing well with mild symptoms but will not be available for this week’s game against Boston College. While we certainly will miss Trevor, this is an opportunity for other guys to step up and we’re excited about competing against a very good BC team on Saturday. Go Tigers.”
Lawrence later issued the following statement on social media:
“I have tested positive for COVID-19, and my symptoms have been relatively mild while I’m following the protocol from Clemson and the ACC,” he said. “The only thing that hurts is missing an opportunity to be with my teammates this weekend and play the game I love. I hate that I can’t be there, but I’ll be watching from isolation and pulling for our guys while I wait for the opportunity [to] rejoin the team. God bless and go Tigers!”
Per Sports Illustrated’s Ross Dellenger, Lawrence received his test results Thursday from Wednesday’s full-team testing. The quarterback was the only positive, a source tells SI. Dellenger adds Clemson believes this is an isolated positive.
Barring a change a la Nick Saban, Lawrence is expected to miss Saturday’s contest against Boston College. His status for Clemson’s matchup against Notre Dame looms large. D.J. Uiagalelei, a five-star recruit from the 2020 class, is the Tigers’ backup quarterback.
The ACC operates under CDC guidelines, as Dellenger points out, so a player who tested positive must isolate 10 days from the time of their positive test.
The news comes just over an hour after Swinney leaves the door open for Lawrence’s future, saying he would be ‘surprised’ if the quarterback returned to Clemson for his senior year.
Lawrence has tallied 1,833 yards and 17 touchdowns in six games this season. He’s 31-1 as a starter, and coming into today, the quarterback was -175 to win the 2020 Heisman Trophy.
