Beamer Issues Injury Update After Banged-Up Win Over S.C. State
A normally upbeat Shane Beamer struck a different tone Saturday night after No. 10 South Carolina’s 38-10 win over S.C. State, offering a grim outlook on the health of his roster.
“It’s not good,” Beamer said in his postgame press conference.
The Gamecocks entered the home opener already shorthanded. Starting cornerback Judge Collier and edge rusher Jatius Geer were both sidelined from injuries sustained against Virginia Tech. Nickelback Jalon Kilgore was also unavailable for the matchup.
Injury Pile-Up
As the game wore on, South Carolina’s sideline began to resemble a triage unit. Nickelbacks Brandon Cisse and Jaquel Holman both went down in the first quarter, forcing fourth-stringer Kelvin Hunter into extended snaps. Later, the Gamecocks also lost left tackle Josiah Thompson, guard Markee Anderson, defensive back and punt returner Vicari Swain, and tight end Brady Hunt.
On Sunday evening, Beamer offered more clarity.
“We’re better today than I thought we might be last night when I talked with you guys,” he said. “Feel pretty optimistic on everyone — as we sit here today — in regards to being able to play Saturday night against Vanderbilt.”
The lone exception is Hunt, who is undergoing additional tests.
“Still getting some of the results back,” Beamer explained. “So keeping our fingers crossed and prayers for him that we get a good report here this afternoon. But everybody else is trending to be able to play this weekend.”
Player-by-Player Updates
Cisse collided with edge rusher Bryan Thomas Jr. on the opening drive and briefly stayed in before pulling himself out. “Thought he was good,” Beamer said. “We looked at him on the sideline and thought he was good, and then he didn’t feel like he could go anymore. So that’s why he came out.”
Holman, who replaced him, was also forced to the sideline shortly after.
Swain, who delivered two punt-return touchdowns in the first half, was “a little banged up and wasn’t able to return” after halftime, according to Beamer.
Beamer also addressed wide receiver Jared Brown, who missed the Virginia Tech game and was limited against S.C. State. “He’s battling with a little something,” Beamer said. “I wouldn’t say he’s necessarily 100 percent. He certainly wasn’t against Virginia Tech, and he was a lot closer to it last night.”
Looking Ahead
The SEC’s first official injury reports — which require coaches to list players as probable, questionable, doubtful, or out — begin this week. They will be released daily, starting Wednesday night, and run through gameday.
