Shane Beamer provides update on South Carolina players who missed Week 3

South Carolina was down a few players Saturday as it lost 24-14 on the road to No. 1 Georgia in Week 3. Receiver Ahmarean Brown and edge rushers Tyreek Johnson and Jatius Geer all sat out, and coach Shane Beamer offered an update on their status postgame.

Johnson’s absence was the most surprising as he was not listed on the injury report ahead of Week 3. Beamer revealed that he suffered an undisclosed injury in Week 2’s win against Furman that caused him to miss Saturday’s game.

The coach added that he expects all three players back soon.

“He got hurt at the end of the game last week,” Beamer said of Johnson. “Thought he’d be able to play when I saw you guys on Tuesday. He was one of the ones I listed as questionable. Should get all those guys back. Ahmarean Brown didn’t play today. Tyreek didn’t play. Jatius Geer didn’t play. But expect to get ’em all back.”

In the two games so far this season, Johnson has recorded three tackles and 0.5 sacks. Geer has yet to play this season but should hopefully make his debut within the coming weeks.

As for Brown, he has been one of the Gamecocks’ top receivers this season with nine catches for 86 yards. He suffered a right leg injury in last week’s game against Furman. Before that, he injured his ribs in the opening week against North Carolina.

South Carolina interestingly turned to backup quarterback Luke Doty to start at receiver with Brown out. He ended the game with three catches for 14 yards. O’Mega Blake stepped up to lead the team with five catches for 86 yards.

Defensive backs Nick Emmanwori and David Spauling both played despite hamstring injuries, and Beamer was complimentary of their effort. They finished with a combined 13 tackles.

“Luke Doty had to step up and started today with AB not being here,” Beamer said. “Defensively, Nick Emmanwori and (David) Spauling to be battling hamstrings, played a whole game today and they played their guts out and gave us an opportunity to win.”

In spite of the injuries, South Carolina jumped out to a 14-3 lead against Georgia by halftime. However, the Bulldogs defense locked things down in the second half to hold the Gamecocks without a score and earn the win.

South Carolina will hope it can get some of these injured players healthy ahead of its Week 4 matchup against Mississippi State.