Shane Beamer gives postgame injury update on MarShawn Lloyd

The Gamecocks took care of business early versus Vanderbilt on Saturday in Week 10. They got out to a comfortable 31-14 lead at halftime, even as star running back MarShawn Lloyd sat out due to a bone bruise.

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer described the week of uncertainty surrounding Lloyd’s status and shared that he believes the RB will play in Week 11 versus Florida.

“That bruise is pretty significant that he had on his leg,” Beamer said after the game. “When I met with you guys on Tuesday, we felt like he progressed, that he made some progress from Sunday to Tuesday. We felt like he had a chance to continue to make a little more progress on Wednesday and Thursday, to play today. He just, on Wednesday, didn’t feel as good as we were anticipating he might.

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“We’re optimistic. He told me earlier this week he was going to play tonight, but obviously, it didn’t get done. Anticipate him being back next week.”

Lloyd has 556 yards and nine touchdowns on 100 rush attempts this season as the team’s top ball carrier. Luckily, it sounds like he’ll be back on the field in a week’s time. The Florida game last season was one of his best as he racked up 46 yards on seven carries.

Beamer addresses Cam Smith’s status, David Spaulding injury

Beamer discussed several other banged-up Gamecocks after the 38-27 win. Corner Cam Smith started the game but did not hit the field in the second half after he was part of a first-half skirmish.

“Cam was little sick coming into the game. … He didn’t feel well at the hotel,” Beamer said. “Obviously, the play that looked like he was involved with, it was off-setting I guess on both of them. I don’t believe he is hurt. I’m not really sure. And I’m not trying to dodge the question. We were rolling defensive backs in and out because of injuries and things like that.”

Despite the good news on Lloyd, the skipper had bad news as well. They might lose redshirt junior corner David Spaulding for the year. He shared that Spaulding suffered an injury similar to running back Christian Beal-Smith.

“Spaulding is probably going to be done for the year,” Beamer said. “He’s got a foot injury… but we’ll see. I seriously doubt we’ll get him back.”

On Saturday, the Gamecocks head to the Swamp for a 4 p.m. ET kickoff versus Florida.