South Carolina received good news on Friday as starting left tackle Josiah Thompson was officially cleared to play against Texas A&M—just one day after appearing as questionable on Thursday’s SEC availability report.
With Thompson no longer listed on Friday’s update, only three Gamecocks remained on the report.
Redshirt freshman defensive back Jalewis Solomon was officially ruled out after being labeled doubtful on Thursday. Offensive tackles Jatavius Shivers and Cason Henry had already been ruled out earlier in the week, with Henry sidelined for the remainder of the season.
Head coach Shane Beamer explained Thursday night that the week brought mixed results on the injury front.
“It was pretty good yesterday and then we had some things that flared up in practice today,” Beamer said.
“Yeah, Shivers and Henry will be out. Josiah Thompson’s a little bit banged up. He’ll be listed on our injury report tonight when it comes out, that we have to release. He’ll be on that. Hopeful for him on Saturday, it’s nothing major. And then Jalewis Solomon, one of our special teams players and young defensive backs, he aggravated something in practice today, so I would say he will be doubtful on Saturday.”
Thompson suffered his setback during the Ole Miss matchup and was replaced in the second half by true freshman Shed Sarratt.
The Gamecocks are also expected to regain two contributors for the Texas A&M game: wide receiver Jayden Sellers and defensive back/special teams standout Buddy Mack III, both of whom missed the Ole Miss contest.
While the offensive line remains thin, Beamer said Thursday he’s relieved the team isn’t dealing with more injuries this late in the season.
“But outside of (the three who are listed), for it to be Game 10 in November, after the stretch that we’ve just had in October, feel fortunate that we are where we are,” he noted. “But I hate that I just named three offensive tackles that are either going to be out or could be out on Saturday, especially against this front four.”
On the Texas A&M side, wide receiver Mario Craver was upgraded from questionable to probable on Friday.
The SEC will release the final availability report 90 minutes before kickoff.
Last year, the conference implemented a standardized injury reporting system across football, men’s and women’s basketball, and baseball. Football teams must submit a report three days before each game, followed by daily updates and a final game-day report. Players may be listed as available, probable, doubtful, or questionable before game day, and as available, game-time decision, or out on the day of the game—mirroring the NFL’s system.
South Carolina and Texas A&M will kick off at noon on Saturday, with ESPN broadcasting the game.
