Shane Beamer provides multiple injury updates heading into Clemson game

Heading into the latest edition of the Palmetto Bowl this weekend, South Carolina could be in better health, with a number of players on the edge of potentially playing. Head coach Shane Beamer dished on where a number of players stand going into the rivalry matchup with Clemson.

Only one player, as of early in the week, is unlikely to play, Beamer said: Wideout JuJu McDowell. Beyond him, a bevy of players are questionable.

“I would say, obviously JuJu is out and everyone else is questionable. If they weren’t going to play, I would let you know. DK [Dakereon Joyner] is — has assured us he’s playing. Knowing him I don’t doubt him. He was out there at practice in a limited role today. Same thing with Trai Jones, Cason Henry, Jaxon Hughes. I wouldn’t say they’re probable, but not ready to sit here and say they’re out either. We’ll see how they progress the rest of the week,” Beamer said.

Along with the players Beamer mentioned, wideout Antwane ‘Juice’ Wells is also still banged up. Though he started practicing this week, he’s not likely to play in the regular season finale.

Beamer shared a hilarious story of a recently heckler

Beamer has had a tough year and he can’t avoid the inevitable pressure when he goes around town. Not even at his son’s school.

Beamer relayed a story about being ragged on by a kindergartner while at a school assembly recently.

“My wife and I were sitting on the second row like in the second section and then there was a walkway two rows in front of us where the kids walked to sit behind us,” Shane Beamer said. “And the kindergartners walked in and one of the kindergartners was two rows in front of me in the walkway and he saw me and he was like, ‘Hey coach,’ and I was like, ‘Hey buddy,’ thought he was a fan or something like that.

“Then he kept going down the row in front of me or the two rows in front of me, walked up the steps and then came two rows behind me to sit down. That’s where the kindergartners were going to sit was behind me, so now he’s two rows behind me and I hear him behind me again. He’s like ‘Hey coach,’ I’m like, ‘Man this guy’s a big Gamecock,’ and I turn around and go ‘Hey buddy.’ He goes, ‘You’ve won four games,’ is what he said to me. So I’m not sure if he was a (Clemson) Tiger or a disgruntled Gamecock, but I was reminded how important college football is to so many.”

South Carolina has now won five games, of course, so this weekend’s contest against Clemson will be huge. The Gamecocks need to win to secure bowl eligibility.