South Carolina Football: Beamer gives injury update leading into first game
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer had his after-practice media availability on Tuesday and provided several news-worthy sound bites for Gamecock fans and media to latch onto as the season opener approaches.
One of the most important points of conversation during Beamer’s time at the podium was the health of his football team.
Jaylen Nichols will not play against North Carolina, but after that, the South Carolina football headman appears to be optimistic about his other players’ chances to suit up against the Tar Heels on September 2nd.
Star wide receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells has not been a full participant during fall camp with a lower-body injury, but he has been practicing in some regard, and Beamer told the media that he expects the preseason All-American to play. Wells has said he is “great” and is playing.
Fellow receiver and 5-star true freshman Nyckoles Harbor has also been a part-time participant at practice recently. Beamer lumped Harbor’s situation into the same group as Wells and said he expects the Washington DC native to make his Gamecock debut against UNC next weekend.
Transfer tight end Trey Knox missed a couple of practices over the last two weeks and has been called “questionable” for USC’s first game with a knee issue. However, on Tuesday, both Beamer and Knox said he is ready to go and will play next Saturday.
6th-year senior defensive end Tyreek Johnson has had a good fall camp in limited action as he has donned a blue jersey as a partial participant. Beamer called the Sumter, South Carolina native “probable” for the game in Charlotte, indicating that he will play.
Juju McDowell told the media that he is over the knee issue he was dealing with early in fall camp.
Other important notes from the players’ and Beamer’s time in front of the microphone included lots of praise for quarterback Spencer Rattler by his teammates, an expectation from Beamer that new transfer portal defensive end Drew Tuazama will play in week 1, and an announcement that Darude (the artist who created “Sandstorm”) will perform prior to the Kentucky game this fall.