Clemson QB might not start vs. Duke

CLEMSON, S.C. - Charlie Whitehurst's sore throwing shoulder could end his 37-game streak as Clemson's starting quarterback.

• Photos

Tigers coach Tommy Bowden revealed Tuesday that his senior passer has had twinges of shoulder pain since the week of the Boston College game. Whitehurst did not throw at practice Monday.

If the soreness keeps Whitehurst from significant preparation for Duke on Saturday, Bowden said backup Will Proctor would become their first new starter since the second half of the 2002 season.

"The determining factor's going to be amount of practice time," Bowden said. "If he practices a lot, I would think his shoulder's not going to be really sore. If it's sore, then he won't practice. That's kind of the way it's been."

Whitehurst says he first felt some pain in the week leading up to the game Sept. 24. He's had an MRI exam, received at least one cortisone shot and is using anti-inflammatory medication, he said.

Whitehurst said no one's sure where the pain's coming from.

"It's not the rotator cuff," he said. "It's an inflammation, possibly a cartilage issue. It's not major."

Whitehurst said surgery has been discussed, but he'd rather deal with the pain if it means he still can help Clemson win games.

"Right now, it feels good," he said. "I think I can play this weekend."

If he can't, Bowden and the Tigers have confidence in Proctor, a junior who had thrown only 13 passes in his Clemson career behind Whitehurst.

A rest for Whitehurst might also get him healthy for Clemson's Bowden Bowl contest with Florida State in two weeks.