ORLANDO, FL - SEPTEMBER 05: Derwin James #3 of the Florida State Seminoles reacts after a play against the Mississippi Rebels during the Camping World Kickoff at Camping World Stadium on September 5, 2016 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

FSU's best safety is likely not playing in the biggest game of the year

This is rough.

Derwin James has played very little this year because of a meniscus surgery early in the season. His target return date was the Clemson game on October 29 after he sustained the injury against Charleston Southern in the second week of the season. With the bye week right before the ACC's biggest game of the season, coach Jimbo Fisher and the rest of the team was hoping to get back the team's best safety.

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Unfortunately, it sounds like James won't be coming back for the Clemson game. Fisher was on his Wednesday night call-in show and made that quite clear.

"I wish and I hope so, but if I had to say, it would be a little bit early," Fisher said on James' return to action against Clemson. "I bet he's healed enough, but I don't know if they're going to let him. He's walking around pretty good, but I wouldn't expect so."

So while it doesn't sound like he will be available against the Tigers, but it does look like he could play against N.C. State the next week.

[h/t Tiger Net]