Clemson QB Watson leaves with apparent knee injury

ATLANTA, Ga. – Clemson trailed Georgia Tech 6-3 after one quarter of play Saturday afternoon at Bobby Dodd Stadium, but the Tigers' biggest concern was the health of freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson.

Watson, who was making his first start after missing three games with a broken bone in his right hand, appeared to suffer a leg injury on a seven-yard run with 2:03 left in the first quarter.

He left the field and was ushered to the Clemson locker room.

Clemson had outgained the Yellow Jackets 77-10 at the time of Watson's injury and Watson had rushed for 40 yards on six carries and completed 5-of-7 passes for 27 yards.

Clemson, ranked 19th in the latest College Football Playoff rankings, entered the game with a 7-2 overall record and 6-1 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play. Georgia Tech, ranked 23rd, is 8-2, 4-2.

The Tigers haven't won against Georgia Tech in Atlanta since 2003.

Scott Keepfer writes for The Greenville News, a Gannett company.