South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers’ status for this weekend remains uncertain after he left Saturday night’s 31-7 loss to Vanderbilt with a helmet-to-helmet hit in the second quarter and did not return.
Head coach Shane Beamer said Sunday he was “optimistic” that Sellers would be available against Missouri, but on Tuesday he deferred updates until the SEC’s official injury report is released Wednesday evening.
“Nope. We have an injury report for an SEC game that we release on Wednesday nights,” Beamer said when asked again about Sellers.
Before exiting, the redshirt sophomore went 6-for-7 for 94 yards with one interception. Vanderbilt linebacker Langston Patterson was flagged for targeting on the play and ejected. Senior Luke Doty took over, completing 18 of 27 passes for 148 yards but also threw an interception as the Gamecocks were shut out in the second half.
Beamer didn’t commit immediately after the game to who would start at Missouri if Sellers can’t go, but clarified Tuesday that Doty remains the No. 2 quarterback.
“If the game was today and LaNorris was not able to play, then yes, Luke would be the starter,” Beamer said. “But just like every position, we’ve got to continue to compete, and the quarterback position is no different. And those guys are doing some really good things. Air (Noland) and Cutter (Woods), they’re really getting better, along with all these guys on our team.”
On3’s Pete Nakos reported Sunday that Sellers is dealing with a concussion and will be monitored closely. Beamer has avoided specifics on the nature of the injury but explained the team’s practice policy.
“We have a pretty consistent policy that if you don’t practice Tuesday or Wednesday, you’re not going to play,” he said. “I don’t care who you are, if you don’t get out there in practice Tuesday and Wednesday especially, it’s really tough to just practice on Thursday (and play).”
South Carolina also saw right tackle Cason Henry leave the Vanderbilt game after just 14 snaps, with Tree Babalade filling in. “Injury-wise, LaNorris and Cason obviously did not finish the game last night,” Beamer said Sunday. “We’re optimistic on both those guys for this week.”
Meanwhile, the Gamecocks are hoping to get starting cornerback Judge Collier back. He’s missed most of the season so far with a knee injury but could return in Columbia this weekend.
As part of the SEC’s new injury reporting system, South Carolina will release official availability updates Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, with a final report 90 minutes before Saturday’s kickoff. Reports classify players as available, probable, doubtful, or questionable before game day, with game-day designations of available, game-time decision, or out. The league enforces fines of up to $100,000 for inaccurate or late submissions.
South Carolina (2-1, 0-1 SEC) travels to face No. 23 Missouri on Saturday night, with kickoff set for 7 p.m.
