AUBURN, AL - SEPTEMBER 03: Head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers reacts during the second half against the Auburn Tigers at Jordan Hare Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Auburn, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Clemson loses another key player to season-ending injury

This is getting brutal.

Clemson has already lost a major starter in kicker Greg Huegel after he was injured on the last play of practice. It looks like the Tigers will now lose a key defender in Logan Rudolph  as he will need season-ending surgery to fix a shoulder injury.

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The early enrollee freshman played 26 snaps and had three tackles, including a tackle for loss, through the first three weeks of the season. He was listed as the backup to Austin Bryant. He should be eligible for a redshirt since he only appeared in two of the team's first three games.

Head coach Dabo Swinney also said before the year started that Rudolph would eventually need surgery, but that the young man wanted to play through it if possible. After his injury during practice on Tuesday, that was no longer possible so now a surgery date will be announced by Swinney at some point down the line.

[h/t 247Sports]