McCloud Could Return for Clemson Game Saturday

The senior co-captain has been sidelined since suffering an injury in State's season opener against ECU

Finally, some good news on the injury front for the NC State football team.

At least, potentially.

Coach Dave Doeren floated the possibility that senior cornerback Nick McCloud, who has been sidelined with a knee injury during the Wolfpack's season opening victory against East Carolina on Aug. 31, will be ready to play in Saturday's homecoming game against defending national champion Clemson.

"It's been great having Nick McCloud back in action," Doeren said Saturday, implying that the injured co-captain has returned to the practice field. "Hopefully he'll be able to play Saturday. But just having his spark and his leadership has been great."

McCloud, a 6-foot-1, 190-pound native of Rock Hill, S.C., has played in 35 games for the Wolfpack, compiling 106 tackles, 20 pass breakups and three interceptions. He started 11 games at right corner as a junior in 2018 and ranked ninth in the ACC in passes defended.

He was credited with seven tackles and two pass breakups before getting hurt against ECU this year.

McCloud's return would be a major boost to a Wolfpack secondary that has also lost starter Chris Ingram, McCloud's replacement Teshaun Smith and his replacement Taiyon Palmer to season-ending injuries.