Shane Beamer optimistic about status of injured South Carolina players
South Carolina won’t have to give an official designation on its injured players until Wednesday night’s player availability report but head coach Shane Beamer did offer some early optimism on that front during his Tuesday afternoon press conference.
“We’re optimistic on all of those guys that weren’t able to finish the Vanderbilt game,” Beamer said. “Optimistic that we’ll be able to get DeAndre Jules back this week as well.”
Jules, a key rotational player for South Carolina at defensive tackle, was injured against Ole Miss and has missed the last three games.
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The Gamecocks have remained relatively healthy this season but dealt with a wealth of bumps and bruises at Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Starting left tackle Josiah Thompson exited the game and did not return, though sophomore Tree Babalade played well in his stead and was named a player of the game by the staff.
“Regardless of Josiah’s health, Tree came in and did some good things and we certainly need to keep him rolling,” Beamer said Tuesday. “If Josiah is able to play, he’s not going to be 100 percent, and Tree was a starter last year for however many games, 10 or 11 games last season, so we’ve got full confidence in him and feel good about both of those guys being in the game. They’ve both done some really good things for us. I’m proud of Tree and the way that he played when he came in last week.”
EDGEs Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart and defensive tackles T.J. Sanders, Tonka Hemingway, and Boogie Huntley all exited Saturday’s game with injuries at various times but each was able to finish the contest.
Starting safety DQ Smith was injured in pregame warmups and was replaced by Peyton Williams, who turned in one of the highest-graded performances on the Gamecocks’ defense.
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Wide receiver Mazeo Bennett returned to action against the Commodores after leaving the A&M game early with an upper body injury though he was limited to just nine snaps this week, according to PFF.
Defensive tackle Nick Barrett and linebacker Mo Kaba missed the Vanderbilt game.
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The first official player availability report will come out on Wednesday night. Beamer will likely give another injury report on Thursday during his call-in show at 6 p.m. and then a second player availability report will come out late that night at around 8 p.m.
The SEC recently approved a player availability injury report system for football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball.
SEC school personnel must submit availability reports three days before each football game, with daily updates leading to a final report 90 minutes before game time. For basketball and baseball, reports are filed the night before, with an update on game day.
When schools submit injury reports, players will be designated as available, probable, doubtful, and questionable before game day. On game day, designations will be available, game-time decision or out. The model follows injury reports similar to the NFL.
The Gamecocks and Tigers are set for a 4:15 p.m. kickoff at Williams-Brice Stadium this Saturday with the SEC Network carrying the action.
