Beamer Provides Encouraging Update on Stewart, Peak — But Both Remain Doubtful for Towson / sportsearchers.com

Head coach Shane Beamer offered a meaningful health update on two key South Carolina players during his Tuesday press conference, signaling that Dylan Stewart and Jacarrius Peak are edging closer to their long-awaited returns.

Progress on the Practice Field

Beamer confirmed both players took part in full-contact work for the first time: “Peak and Stewart were in full pads today and practiced, so they’re getting closer and closer, so it’s a tough day for all the conspiracy theorists who thought that we were hiding something and they weren’t going to play this season across the country — none of y’all. But those guys were out there today, and they actually had contact today.”

Timeline for Return

Despite the encouraging step, Beamer tempered expectations for this week’s matchup against Towson, while pointing to Week 3 against Mississippi State as a more realistic target: “They are getting closer and closer to playing. I would say they’re extremely doubtful for this week. But optimistic [about] what that injury report is going to say next week when we have to release it before our first SEC game. Proud of those guys.”

No New Concerns Elsewhere

Beyond the Stewart and Peak situations, Beamer reported a clean bill of health following South Carolina’s 57-0 season-opening win over Kent State, saying there was “nothing new to report” from an injury standpoint. He credited the team’s support staff for the clean outcome: “Kudos to our training staff, strength staff, and nutrition staff for everyone staying healthy last weekend.”

That said, South Carolina has already absorbed some notable losses this preseason. Wide receiver Jackson Repp is out for the season, offensive tackle Josiah Thompson is likely done for the year, and wide receivers Jayden Sellers and Jayden Gibson were both lost during preseason camp.

Stewart’s Track Record

Entering his junior season, Dylan Stewart carries an impressive résumé — 56 career tackles, including 22.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, and 6 forced fumbles. Last season, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound edge rusher appeared in 11 games, recording 33 tackles and 4.5 sacks, though a back injury limited his production for much of the second half of the year.

Peak’s Background

Jacarrius Peak, a redshirt senior transfer from NC State, spent four seasons with the Wolfpack, appearing in 38 games with 32 starts and logging more than 2,200 snaps after redshirting as a freshman in 2022. He arrives at South Carolina with starting experience at both tackle spots — 14 starts at left tackle and 18 at right tackle — and entered the transfer portal cycle ranked as the No. 1 offensive tackle and No. 3 overall transfer prospect, per On3. Shortly after his transfer, the 6-foot-4, 305-pound lineman suffered a knee injury playing basketball during a team event in February, sidelining him for all of spring practice.

Looking Ahead

South Carolina hosts Towson Saturday at 7 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium, with the game airing on SEC Network Plus.