Clemson's Billie to need ankle surgery

CLEMSON, S.C. - Clemson starting linebacker Tramaine Billie broke his ankle at practice Wednesday and will need surgery to fix it.<br> <br> The school said Billie will miss at least the opening game against Florida Atlantic on Sept. 2. More will be known after orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Larry Bowman, performs the surgery Friday at Oconee Hospital.<br> <br> ``We will just have to see what the doctors say after the surgery,&#39;&#39; Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said.<br> <br> Billie, a senior from Eastover, was locked in one of the tightest battles of Clemson&#39;s fall camp with sophomore Antonio Clay. ``Now Clay will have to be the guy, at least in the short term,&#39;&#39; Bowden said.<br> <br> Billie injured himself on the final play of Wednesday&#39;s practice. An examination Thursday determined that surgery was required.<br> <br> Billie has made 18 starts in his career. He finished third on the team with 93 tackles; 12 of those came in the Tigers&#39; 13-9 victory against South Carolina.<br> <br> Since Billie played as a true freshman in 2003, he could sit out this year if his ankle did not improve and return in 2007.<br> <br> Clay was a highly regarded member of last year&#39;s freshman class who picked the Tigers over Oklahoma and several other schools.<br> <br> He played in all 12 games last season and finished with 27 tackles.<br> <br> Bowden said reserve Maurice Nelson could see more playing time with Billie on the sideline.<br> <br> (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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