South Carolina, Kentucky Release Final Injury Updates Ahead of Saturday Clash
South Carolina will head into its Week 5 matchup against Kentucky with no major changes on the injury front. With just 90 minutes until the 7:45 p.m. kickoff at Williams-Brice Stadium (SEC Network), the final SEC availability report is out.
The Gamecocks will once again be without three players: defensive back Buddy Mack III and offensive linemen Nolan Hay and Cason Henry. The losses up front are especially tough. Henry had started every game this season before being sidelined, while Hay, who made his first start last week against Missouri, will also be unavailable.
There is good news, however. Defensive back Judge Collier and defensive tackle Gabe Brownlow-Dindy have been cleared to play. Collier hasn’t suited up since Week 1, while Brownlow-Dindy was questionable through last week before being removed from the list on Friday.
Meanwhile, defensive back DQ Smith, who sat out against Missouri, was taken off the availability report on Thursday, signaling he’ll return Saturday. Tight end Mike Smith and offensive guard Trovon Baugh, who were limited last week, also weren’t listed on Wednesday’s report, suggesting both will be available against Kentucky.
The Wildcats will also be shorthanded. Defensive back DJ Waller Jr., running back Jamarion Wilcox, defensive lineman Nic Smith, wide receiver David Washington Jr., tight end Elijah Brown, and wideout Preston Bowman are all ruled out.
Quarterback Zach Calzada, who was questionable Friday, is no longer on the injury list and is expected to play. Offensive lineman Aba Selm, however, remains a game-time decision.
This year marks the second season of the SEC’s official player availability system, which was introduced to bring consistency to injury reporting across football, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball.
For football, schools must submit updates three days before kickoff, followed by daily adjustments and a final report 90 minutes prior to game time. Basketball and baseball follow a similar process, with reports filed the night before and updated on game day.
The SEC has outlined strict penalties for late or inaccurate submissions, ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 in football, and $15,000 to $25,000 in basketball and baseball. Like the NFL, player designations include available, probable, doubtful, and questionable before game day, and shift to available, game-time decision, or out on game day.
