Redshirt sophomore Hunter Renfrow will be on the sidelines for the upcoming month after suffering a hand injury in Saturday’s game against Troy. Renfrow, a starting wide receiver, injured his hand while making a touchdown catch from Deshaun Watson. The injury comes as another plunder for the Tigers after struggling through Saturday’s competition with offensive chemistry issues.
The walk-on wide receiver played in 15 games last season, including 10 in the starting line up. He had five touchdowns last season, including two against Alabama in the National Championship.
Renfrow has caught a touchdown pass against Auburn and Troy, and is expected to catch more as the season progresses.
The injury comes as a shock to the coaching staff, the team, and the fans who expected Renfrow to be a standout player this season.
“We thought Hunter was going to be fine, but the MRI on Monday showed a little crack below his thumb” Coach Swinney noted in Sunday night’s teleconference.
Although this injury does not prevent him from playing, it would pose a challenge when holding the ball. Without wanting to talk this risk, surgery is the only option.
With this surgery, Renfrow will be expected to miss four weeks of play including games against Georgia Tech, Louisville, and Boston College, two of which are away games.
In the last two games the offense has dropped balls and missed passes that were unexpected. Even Renfrow had a missed catch. The offense will have to regroup without Renfrow in the lineup Deshaun Watson will have to rely on Artavis Scott, Mike Williams, and Deon Cain to carry out big plays at the wide receiver position. Ray-Ray McCloud is also expected to earn more playing time with Renfrow’s absence.
Renfrow is expected to return for the Florida State game, the most anticipated and challenging game of the season as the Tigers head to Tallahassee.  These next four games are crucial for the Tigers to get their team where they want to be with or without Renfrow.