Shane Beamer provides update on South Carolina injuries vs. Texas A&M

South Carolina has been incredibly banged up in the 2023 season and things went from bad to worse Saturday in a game against Texas A&M. Coach Shane Beamer provided an update on the latest South Carolina injuries following the game.

The most obvious one was offensive lineman Trai Jones, who was carted off during the game and did not return after he was hurt.

“Trai Jones has a high-ankle sprain,” Beamer said. “Don’t know the prognosis on him. Tree (Babalade) obviously had to come in in his place. Tree was available, but as you guys saw he wasn’t 100%. We were hoping to not have to play him in case of emergency, but that was an emergency when Trai got hurt.”

Jones is a fourth-year offensive lineman who has been a regular in the starting lineup this season.

He wasn’t the only player who was hurt on Saturday during the game.

Tight end Trey Knox also pulled up hurt in the second half, grabbing the back of his leg after extending to try to reach a pass, adding to the South Carolina injuries.

“Trey Knox has got a little bit of a hamstring,” Beamer said. “Hopefully he’ll be OK.”

Knox has been an integral part of the offense, which has been up and down in recent weeks. A former Arkansas transfer, Knox has caught 30 passes for 246 yards and two touchdowns.

He wasn’t the only productive receiver lost during the game due to injury, unfortunately, as the South Carolina injuries mounted.

The team’s leading receiver was also banged up very late in the contest.

“You guys may ask why Xavier Legette wasn’t in there,” Beamer said. “On that last drive he got his ankle rolled up on he said on the second down play over there on their sideline. So he needed to come out and didn’t feel like he could go in on that third- and fourth-down play as well.”

Legette has recorded 38 catches for 736 yards and three touchdowns this season, far and away the team’s most productive pass-catcher.

South Carolina will be back in action next Saturday with a game against Jacksonville State. That will be the team’s second-to-last non-conference game, with Clemson closing out the slate.