Two key defensive players for South Carolina are officially cleared to suit up against No. 11 LSU on Saturday night, according to the final SEC availability report released Friday.
Cornerback Myles Norwood and defensive tackle Troy Pikes, both listed as probable earlier in the week, were removed from the report — meaning they’ll be ready to go for the Gamecocks’ primetime matchup in Baton Rouge. Cornerback Judge Collier, who was previously listed as questionable, was already cleared in Thursday’s update.
“Myles tweaked something in practice this week; he’ll be fine,” head coach Shane Beamer said Thursday during his weekly call-in show. “Judge Collier, he’s good to go. Troy Pikes got banged up a little bit in practice yesterday but he practiced today and he’ll be fine by Saturday.”
However, the Gamecocks’ offensive line remains severely depleted. Cason Henry, Nolan Hay, and Markee Anderson have all been ruled out for the LSU game.
“The Prisma Health Injury Report this week is basically the Prisma Health O-line Injury Report because really everyone but the offensive line is good,” Beamer joked.
Henry and Hay both sat out South Carolina’s win over Kentucky, and though Beamer had expressed optimism about their return, injuries lingered. Henry — who previously injured his shoulder against Vanderbilt — re-aggravated the same issue just one play into the Missouri game. Hay, who made his first career start against Missouri, exited that contest with a knee injury.
“I hate that for them and for us,” Beamer said. “But hopefully we can get those guys back soon. Hopefully it won’t be long term. He [Henry] did some tests this week, and we’re still waiting to hear back the plan of attack for him, but hopefully it won’t be long term.”
The SEC’s new player availability system, implemented last season, requires schools to file reports three days before football games and provide daily updates leading up to kickoff. Schools face fines ranging from $25,000 to $100,000 for late or inaccurate submissions.
South Carolina (3–2, 1–2 SEC) will look to stay hot after its bye week when it takes on LSU (4–1, 1–1 SEC) under the lights at Tiger Stadium, with kickoff set for 7:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
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“Everybody but the offensive line is good,” Beamer said. “It’s just one of those weeks where we’ve got to be ready to adjust.”
