Trevor Lawrence coronavirus diagnosis — Timeline, Clemson’s backup QB and more

Clemson superstar quarterback Trevor Lawrence has tested positive for the coronavirus and will miss Saturday’s game against Boston College. His status for the following week’s showdown at Notre Dame remains in question. Here’s what we know so far about Lawrence’s condition; his backup, D.J. Uiagalelei; and what this could mean for Clemson’s College Football Playoff chances.

What are the next steps for Lawrence?

Lawrence tested Wednesday and received a positive result Thursday. He went into isolation Thursday upon receiving the positive test result, as mandated by the ACC’s medical advisory group. He’ll be required to isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms, which Lawrence has described as mild. That’s the tricky part. We don’t know exactly when his 10-day clock starts, if his symptoms began prior to Thursday.

What does this mean for Clemson’s game against Notre Dame on Nov. 7?

The short answer is: We don’t know. The best-case scenario for Lawrence’s return is if he began experiencing symptoms on Tuesday and that began his 10-day isolation clock, which would potentially allow him to play on Nov. 7. However, this also requires the player to show no symptoms, defined as no respiratory issues or fever, without the aid of fever-reducing medication. Lawrence will also have to pass a battery of cardiac tests to ensure he isn’t showing symptoms of myocarditis. If he clears all those hurdles, it’s possible he could play against the Irish — albeit with no practice under his belt beforehand.

Who is Clemson backup QB D.J. Uiagalelei, and what should fans expect from him?

Uiagalelei is top-ranked Clemson’s presumed starter for Saturday’s game against Boston College, and the Tigers are in good hands. Uiagalelei was the No. 43 recruit in ESPN’s 2020 rankings, and the No. 1 pocket passer in the country. He enrolled at Clemson in January and earned the No. 2 spot on the depth chart in fall camp. So far this season, he has completed 12 of 19 passes for 102 yards and scored twice on the ground, largely in mop-up duty during blowout victories. He missed Clemson’s 73-7 win over Georgia Tech two weeks ago with shoulder soreness, however, but returned to action last week against Syracuse. As a junior at St. John Bosco High in Bellflower, California, Uiagalelei was named the USA Today National Player of the Year, and he threw for more than 10,000 yards in his high school career.

Have any of Lawrence’s teammates been affected?

This appears to be the good news for Clemson — at least so far. Coach Dabo Swinney said no players are in quarantine based on contact-tracing protocols due to Lawrence’s infection, which, right now, would include any teammates who came into contact with him during Clemson’s most recent game (against Syracuse this past Saturday).

Clemson tests players on Sundays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Lawrence tested negative on Sunday. Based on ACC guidelines, that essentially concludes a need to contact-trace the game….