The Clemson Tigers are going to need to play their best football if they want to beat Alabama Monday night, and that will be difficult to do if star defensive back Mackensie Alexander is unable to suit up.
Alexander, a sophomore cornerback who is expected to be a first-round pick when he heads to the NFL, has been nursing a hamstring injury. Some reports indicate he may be limited against Alabama or out altogether.
I've been told the same as others, without much more confirmation than this: Mackensie Alexander might be limited or out with a hamstring.
— Aaron Brenner (@Aaron_Brenner) January 11, 2016
Clemson has one of the best secondaries in college football, and Alexander is its anchor. If he plays, the Tigers will lean on him to shut down Alabama star wide receiver Calvin Ridley the same way he has shut down the top targets of opponents all season long. Without a healthy Alexander, Clemson might struggle to stop the pass and in turn become more vulnerable to giving up chunk yardage to Heisman Trophy winner Derrick Henry.
Shaq Lawson, Clemson’s best pass-rusher, is also questionable for the game after suffering an injury on this great play against Oklahoma. Tigers fans can only cross their fingers that both Alexander and Lawson are able to go.
Photo: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
