Clemson QB Watson to have knee surgery, miss bowl game

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 1:22 p.m. ET

foxsports

COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson will have surgery Friday and miss the Tigers' upcoming bowl game.

Watson played with a torn knee ligament in Clemson's 35-17 victory over rival South Carolina on Nov. 29. Swimney said then Watson would be available for the postseason.

The coach changed that stance Sunday, saying Watson could get a jump on the rehabilitation process if he had surgery before the Russell Athletic Bowl on Dec. 29.

This will be Watson's second operation this season. He broke a bone in his throwing hand against Louisville in October and missed his next three starts. He returned against Georgia Tech in November, but played less than a quarter before injuring his knee.

The 17th ranked Tigers (9-3) face Oklahoma (8-4) in the bowl.