Clemson vs Texas opt-outs and injury report: Top players not playing in playoff game

The No. 13 Clemson Tigers go on the road to play the No. 4 Texas Longhorns in the first round of the College Football Playoff on Saturday at 4 p.m. ET. The game can be seen on TNT.

Clemson snuck into the playoff with a 9-3 record by beating SMU to win the ACC. Texas, meanwhile, lost to Georgia in the SEC championship game as the Longhorns went 11-2.

Clemson opt-outs & injury report

The Clemson Tigers have three players in the transfer portal, and two played out with injuries.

Sherrod Covil, CB

Sherrod Covil is in the transfer portal and won't play in the College Football Playoff. Covil played 124 snaps this season with Clemson.

Troy Stellato, WR

Troy Stellato is dealing with an injury, but he is also in the transfer portal. Stellato had 25 receptions for 264 yards and a touchdown.

Noble Johnson, WR

Noble Johnson is in the transfer portal for Clemson. Johnson played just 49 snaps this season.

Jay Haynes, RB

Clemson's running back, Jay Haynes, is out with an injury and won't play in the College Football Playoff.

DeMonte Capehart, DT

DeMonte Capehart is out with an injury and won't play against Texas. Capehart recorded 16 tackles this season.

Texas opt-outs & injury report

Texas has two players in the transfer portal, and two key players are dealing with injuries.

Johntay Cook, WR

Johntay Cook is in the transfer portal - Source: Imagn

Longhorns wide receiver Johntay Cook is in the transfer portal and won't play in the playoff. Cook recorded eight receptions for 137 yards and two touchdowns.

Justice Finkley, LB

Justice Finkley is also in the portal after playing just 95 snaps with Texas. Finkley recorded five tackles this season.

Isaiah Bond, WR

Star wide receiver Isaiah Bond is dealing with an injury and will be a game-time decision on Saturday in the College Football Playoff.

"We're obviously much more dynamic when he's on the field. When he's not, finding different ways to create some of those [big plays] to offset some of the things we don't get when he's there," coach Steve Sarkisian said, via SI. "Optimistic that he'll be able to go Saturday. Time always tells especially with the injury he's got."

Bond recorded 33 receptions for 532 yards and 5 touchdowns this season.

Kelvin Banks, OL

Starting left tackle Kelvin Banks is dealing with an ankle injury but is expected to start on Saturday. Banks said he expects to play after rehabbing the ankle.

"The ankle is feeling a whole lot better. I've been attacking the rehab process so I'm feeling confident in my ankle and where I'm at in my process," Banks said. "I feel confident I'll be able to play Saturday."

Banks has been at Texas since 2022.