Tigers quarterback Boyd will likely play against Maryland

CLEMSON -- The Clemson football team averted a major crisis Saturday night when test results showed that quarterback Tajh Boyd did not suffer structural damage to his left hip.

The No. 8 Tigers avoided a lesser predicament Sunday when coach Dabo Swinney proclaimed Boyd probable for Maryland at 7 p.m. Saturday (ESPNU), eliminating the short-term uncertainty surrounding Boyd.

Swinney expects Boyd to practice Tuesday, which is a remarkable turn of events after Boyd appeared to suffer a severe injury when he was carted out of Memorial Stadium in the third quarter of Saturday's 36-14 win against Boston College.

"Tajh is doing very well," Swinney said. "We are very fortunate and thankful that it looks like he's going to be fine. I would say he's definitely probable for (Maryland). It looks like he'll be at full speed, ready to go in practice. We might limit him (today)."

Boyd's injury is muscular in nature -- essentially a bruise -- and he does not have any significant swelling, according to Swinney.

While many thought Boston College defensive end Max Holloway made contact with Boyd's knee, Swinney said Boyd was contacted above the knee.

"A lot of people probably thought it was a knee the way he fell, because it was bent, but because the way his knee was bent it protected him," Swinney said. "I was kind of mad at him because he didn't have a hip pad on."

If Clemson (6-0, 3-0 ACC) hopes to keep its unbeaten streak alive, it likely cannot afford to lose Boyd -- who has thrown 15 touchdown passes -- for any extended length of time as behind Boyd on the depth chart are only true freshmen and walk-on quarterbacks.

Cole Stoudt relieved Boyd on Saturday, completing 6 of 10 passes for 37 yards.

Meanwhile, Maryland (2-3, 1-1) has its own quarterback issues.

Maryland starting quarterback Danny O'Brien was benched in Saturday's loss to Georgia Tech, this after O'Brien was named the ACC's rookie of the year last season, guiding Maryland to seven wins and throwing 22 TDs against eight interceptions.

O'Brien has thrown more interceptions (5) than touchdowns (4) this season, and completed just 1 of 6 passes against Tech before being replaced by C.J. Brown, who rushed for 124 yard but completed just 4 of 17 passes for 36 yards. The Terrapins fell to the Yellow Jackets, 21-16, who moved up one spot in The Associated Press poll to No. 12.

Maryland coach Randy Edsall has not named a starter for the Clemson game.

"We're going to evaluate that situation just like we evaluate all the positions, on a week-to-week basis," Edsall said.

Clemson will have to prepare for two quarterbacks this week but Maryland will have to prepare for a Clemson defensive line that Swinney said was "outstanding" against Boston College.

"We really played well up front," Swinney said. "(Malliciah) Goodman was just tremendous. (Boston College) was chipping with a running back on Andre Branch's side and Malliciah took advantage."