Shane Beamer updates South Carolina injuries
South Carolina’s season opener is rapidly approaching, and Shane Beamer got a chance to update the Gamecocks’ injuries again Wednesday night.
Speaking on his weekly call-in show–Carolina Calls with Todd Ellis–Beamer gave updates to key Gamecocks who’ve been banged up like Juice Wells, Nyck Harbor and Trey Knox.
Beamer reiterated he “fully expects” all three guys to play against the Tar Heels with Wells and Harbor still coming off those injuries and not full participants in practice.
Beamer said Wells did more in practice Wednesday than he did Tuesday and continues to make progress. Harbor, though, is “a little bit behind Juice” in terms of getting back on the field. He expects Harbor to be fine, though.
Knox is “fine” and has done everything in practice this week.
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Wells has been dealing with a lower-body injury that’s limited him for most of the preseason. Harbor wasn’t spotted at practice in the last media session either.
Beamer mentioned Tuesday Wells wasn’t participating in practice but was to the side running and catching a few passes.
“Are they full-go? No,” Beamer said of Wells and Harbor. “Do I expect both of them to play next Saturday night? Absolutely.”
Knox has practiced the last few days after tweaking his knee early in camp but told reporters he fully expects to play and will be ready to go against North Carolina.
Outside of those three, Beamer mentioned the Gamecocks are “in pretty good shape” on the injury front. The only players who will miss the game are Jaylen Nichols and Ryan Brubaker, who are dealing with longer-term injuries.
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Beamer also spoke about injuries during his Tuesday press conference and didn’t seem too concerned, although he did say there were a few guys who would be questionable heading into game week.
That trio of Wells, Harbor and Knox is in that category, but there are a few other guys who are limited right now. Linebacker Pup Howard is out of his blue non-contact jersey while defensive end Tyreek Johnson is listed as probable for next week.
“I wouldn’t say he’s good to go (yet), I would say he is probably probable for next week, would be my guest right now,” Beamer said Tuesday. “He did not practice today but he’s not far off from being ready to practice.”
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Beamer will get a chance to update injuries again next week during his press conference Tuesday (1:30 p.m.) and again on his call-in show Thursday (6 p.m.).
The Gamecocks are wrapping up their mock game week this week with scheduled practices Thursday and Friday.
South Carolina players will practice Sunday, which is sandwiched between off days Saturday and Monday. After that, it’s a full-blown game week for the Gamecocks.
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They’ll practice Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before a walk-through Friday and the season-opener Saturday night against North Carolina in Charlotte.
That game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
