Clemson running back Zac Brooks out for season with foot injury

Clemson running back Zac Brooks is out for the 2014 season due to a foot injury. Brooks, a junior, was the Tigers' leading returning rusher.

Clemson running back Zac Brooks is out for the 2014 season due to a foot injury, the program announced Wednesday.

Brooks, a junior, was the Tigers' leading returning rusher after tallying 246 yards and averaging 5.1 yards per carry last season. Clemson lost Roderick McDowell, the team's leading rusher in 2013, to graduation.

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Several players will compete for carries in Brooks's absence, including senior D.J. Howard, junior C.J. Davidson, redshirt freshman Wayne Gallman and true freshman Adam Choice.

Clemson already had a lot of offense to replace before Brooks's injury, notably having lost quarterback Tajh Boyd and top two receivers Sammy Watkins and Martavis Bryant to the NFL draft.

The Tigers open the 2014 season Aug. 30 against Georgia.

- Ben Estes