South Carolina’s injury outlook became a little clearer this week as head coach Shane Beamer provided updates ahead of Saturday night’s showdown with Kentucky.
On Wednesday, the SEC’s weekly availability report listed two Gamecocks as questionable and four as doubtful. But by Thursday night’s call-in show, Beamer revealed that two players had already been ruled out.
“Cason Henry and Nolan Hay will both be out this week,” Beamer confirmed. “They won’t play. That will come out on the injury report that is released every Thursday night at 8:00. They will be out and then everybody else we’re optimistic on right now.”
The latest injury designations leave defensive backs Judge Collier and DQ Smith as questionable, while defensive tackle Gabe Brownlow-Dindy and defensive back Buddy Mack III remain doubtful.
Tight end Mike Smith, who missed the Missouri game, and offensive guard Trovon Baugh, who only saw special teams action, were not included on Wednesday’s report—an encouraging sign that both should be ready to play this weekend.
Collier Trending Back
Cornerback Judge Collier, who has missed most of the first four games, is pushing toward a return. Still, defensive coordinator Clayton White emphasized a cautious approach.
“He’s still grinding back from the injury, trying to get back in shape,” White explained. “It’s been a while since he’s played, so we’re definitely trying to make sure he’s in position before we just throw him back out there.”
Henry’s Setback
Meanwhile, offensive lineman Cason Henry’s absence looms large. After battling through an injury against Vanderbilt to start versus Missouri, Henry was forced out after the very first play of that game with what was reported on the broadcast as a shoulder issue.
SEC’s Availability System
The SEC’s new availability-reporting system, introduced last season, continues to shape how injury news is released. Football programs must submit player designations three days before kickoff, update them on Thursday and Friday evenings, and provide a final report 90 minutes prior to game time.
Designations follow the NFL model: available, probable, doubtful, or questionable during the week, shifting to available, game-time decision, or out on game day. Fines for inaccurate or late reports range from $25,000 to $100,000 in football and $15,000 to $25,000 in basketball and baseball.
What’s Next
South Carolina will host Kentucky under the lights at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 7:45 p.m. ET. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network, with the Gamecocks entering their first bye week immediately afterward.
