CLEMSON — The two players Clemson cannot afford to lose were lost for most of the second half Saturday against Boston College.

Tigers running back C.J Spiller (right toe) and left tackle Chris Hairston (knee) left the game with injuries and did not return.

The Tigers’ worst fears were avoided when an MRI showed Hairston’s injury to be a knee sprain and not a season-ending ACL tear. No timetable was released for Hairston’s return, though knee strains typically require several weeks of recovery time.

Spiller’s situation appears to be less serious. Spiller said he aggravated a toe injury he sustained in the season opener and took himself out in the third quarter.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said he could have returned, and Spiller said he will not miss any games.

“It just got irritated,” said Spiller, who said he played at 85 percent. “I wasn’t able to plant ... it is getting better every week.”

While Spiller is the team’s signature player, the Tigers have depth at running back in Andre Ellington and Jamie Harper. There is little depth along the offensive front, especially at tackle.

The Tigers were already having trouble at the right tackle position, benching Cory Lambert after two games.

Hairston, who left with a knee injury, is the team’s best edge protector and a suitable replacement does not appear to be on the roster.

It’s especially troubling since TCU and last season’s sacks leader Jerry Hughes meet Clemson next week.

Lambert entered the game at left tackle. And behind Lambert and right tackle Landon Walker was only David Smith, who had been converted from guard earlier in the week.

Reserve tackle Jamarcus Grant was out with a fever. And freshman J.K. Jay is out for the season following back surgery.

It may bring up this question: How quickly can Phillip Price transition from tight end to left tackle?

Spiller joins exclusive club

Before leaving the game, Spiller returned a punt 77 yards for a score, his fifth career kick return for a touchdown, tying Justin Miller for the school mark. Spiller is also the only Tiger in program history to score a touchdown five different ways (via pass, run, receiving, punt return and kick return).

Herzlich honored

Boston College linebacker Mark Herzlich, who is not playing this season as he battles cancer, was presented with a $5,000 check from Swinney before the game for Uplifting Athletes, a non-profit organization that benefits college football players suffering from rare diseases.

He was also presented with a No. 94 jersey signed by the Clemson team. The idea was credited to Clemson reserve tackle Jamarcus Grant. Grant did not play Saturday due to a 102-degree fever.

Extra points

Due to two weather stops, Saturday’s game lasted four hours and 46 minutes. By the conclusion of the game an estimated 25,000 diehard fans remained. It was the first weather stoppage since the 1993 UNLV game. The only other delay occurred in 1963 against Georgia ... Clemson fullback/tight end Rendrick Taylor did not play due to a violation of team rules.

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