Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins is doing his best to stay focused at practice, even though he has been suspended for the first two games of the season.

Watkins spoke Friday to local reporters about trying to do whatever he can to help his teammates get prepared to face Auburn in the season opener Sept. 1 in the Georgia Dome. Watkins will be involved in meetings and game planning, even though he will have to watch the game from home while the Tigers open with a huge nonconference game.

"I will be mentally involved," Watkins said. "I'll be paying attention, I'll be listening. I'll be helping the receivers out, helping the quarterbacks out. I'll still be participating. I won't be going down there Saturday, but I'll be with those guys in spirit just watching the game and hoping for a win."

Watkins was arrested in May on drug-related charges. Coach Dabo Swinney announced earlier this month that he Watkins would miss games against Auburn and Ball State, and would be eligible to return Sept. 15 against Furman. Watkins said the hardest part about sitting out is not getting a chance to play in the Georgia Dome, but he accepts the suspension. "I messed up," Watkins said.

As for his attitude at practice, Watkins said he tries to stay positive.

"When you think about it, sometimes you do get down but at the same time you have to help your team out," he said. "You’ve got to show them that positive energy. That's what I do, I bring that positive energy out there and just work hard and work the DBs, because they’re the ones that need the help out there. They need to go against everybody in the conference and everybody that we play. I’m just out there with the focus on me getting better and helping my teammates. If I go out there hanging my head down and being negative, then they're going to be negative."