South Carolina Football: Multiple preseason All-Americans will not play for Bulldogs against Gamecocks

The South Carolina football program has been dealing with a lot of injuries in the early goings of the 2023 season.

Every position other than quarterback has been affected. At wide receiver, Juice Wells, Xavier Legette, Ahmareahn Brown, and Nyck Harbor have all been banged up through the first two games, and the injury situation might be even worse on the offensive line where starting left tackle Jaylen Nichols and starting right tackle Cason Henry have played one series combined.

However, while the injury situation might seem dire in Columbia, it is important for South Carolina football fans to remember that their favorite team is not the only one dealing with ailing players.

The Georgia Bulldogs will welcome the Gamecocks to Sanford Stadium on Saturday for a 3:30 kick (broadcast on CBS and the Paramount+ app), and Kirby Smart’s team will be without one of their top players on offense.

Preseason All-American wide receiver Ladd McConkey will miss Saturday’s contest against the Gamecocks as he misses his third straight game dealing with a back issue, according to a report from On3’s Matt Zenith.

The Bulldogs still have preseason All-SEC talents like Dominic Lovett and RaRa Thomas at receiver and All-American tight end Brock Bowers to pick up the slack in the passing game for offensive coordinator Mike Bobo and quarterback Carson Beck.

With the slew of weapons on the country’s most talented roster, McConkey will hardly be missed despite his immense talent.

Fellow preseason All-American Javon Bullard left the Bulldogs’ week 2 contest against Ball State with an ankle injury, and the safety is also expected to be unable to play for Georgia on Saturday.

Tykee Smith has gotten most of his snaps for the ‘Dawgs at the star position (outside linebacker/safety/nickel combo), but he could get some run at safety if needed. Fellow defensive backs David Daniel-Sisavanh and Dan Jackson will get the first cracks at replacing Bullard on the back end of the red and black defense.

South Carolina offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains is likely to try to take advantage of Bullard’s absence. Malaki Starks still will be lurking at the other safety spot, but with Bullard out, expect Spencer Rattler and his receivers to test the UGA secondary downfield.