Shane Beamer reveals JuJu McDowell out for season with collarbone injury

South Carolina had their strongest performance in SEC play this weekend with a 47-6 win over Vanderbilt, but unfortunately, they weren’t able to secure the win staying fully healthy as a team.

After the game, Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer revealed that running back JuJu McDowell will miss the remainder of the season after sustaining an injury on Saturday, which Beamer detailed in a press conference after the game.

“Injury-wise, really the only significant one is JuJu McDowell. He’ll be done for the rest of the season, broke his collarbone, unfortunately. Heart breaks for that kid,” Beamer said. “He’ll be out the next two weeks, he’ll come back stronger than ever and hate it for him.”

On the very first drive of the game McDowell helped convert a third down for South Carolina’s offense with a 18-yard reception. But on the following play when he received his first carry of the ballgame, he’d go to the sideline favoring his shoulder and not return to the game after breaking his collarbone.

McDowell is in his third season with the Gamecocks, rushing for 63 yards and two touchdowns on 26 this season and also contributing in the passing game with 11 catches for 105 yards and one receiving score. As a true freshman he dazzled, earning Freshman All-SEC honors from the league’s as an all-purpose back and a return specialist, but unfortunately his abilities will not be utilized the rest of the season as the Gamecock running back room continues to get decimated.

“Obviously our running back situation right now is a concern with Dakereon [Joyner] being out right now and JuJu. So that’s why Djay Braswell and Mario Anderson were in there so much today as well. Need those guys to continue to go on,” Beamer said.

McDowell may not be able to contribute to the offense for the remainder of the season on the field, but that doesn’t mean there are other ways he can’t play his part, which he showed on Saturday following his injury in special moment that Beamer recognized.

“But hate it for JuJu, he brings so much energy, but what a testament to that kid. I mean he breaks his collarbone and then I look out there on the field and he’s out there trying to motivate the team during a timeout on the sideline at the end of the first quarter,” Beamer shared.

“So he’s awesome and he’s a great energy booster for our football team as well and will continue to be.”