Bowers returns and other odds and ends from practice

Thursday also marked defensive end Da’Quan Bowers’ first day back at practice after a week and a half absence following the sudden death of his father. “It was a tough process, because me and my father were so close,” Bowers said. “But the fans and my teammates and coaches have been so supportive. They came down, visited with me (for the visitation) in Bamberg, and nothing has ever touched my heart like that.”

“We visited with him for a good bit before practice and welcomed him back,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “It’s just moving on and getting back in a routine. I know he was excited to get back out here today, get back to work and just get some normalcy. It’s been a really difficult week for him.”

Swinney said that tailback Rod McDowell (concussion) would likely return next week, either Monday or Tuesday.

“He’s not happy he’s in a yellow jersey, but you can’t mess around with concussions,” Swinney said. “We try to err on the conservative side when you talk about practice.”

Dabo said that cornerback Marcus Gilchrist has the edge over a number of players to be the No.1 punt and kick returner. Bryce McNeal, Jaron Brown, Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper are also factors, as well as McDowell.

He said that he is “confident” that Justin Parker and DeAndre Hopkins will avoid redshirts, but is uncertain about the rest of the class.

“We’d like to redshirt as many guys as we can,” he said. “You don’t want to waste (years). Three or four other guys are on the bubble and we’ll probably continue to get them ready for the first two, three games, just in case.”

Parker remains absent from the team; his mother is scheduled to undergo open-heart surgery in Charleston this week. In addition, wideout Brandon Clear’s grandfather died this week. He’ll fly out for the funeral this weekend and be back Monday.