South Carolina Football: Gamecock running back "done" for spring after injury

South Carolina football spring practice is in full swing. Pads are on, freshmen and transfers are getting their first Gamecock action, and the fan base is counting down the days until the season begins on August 31st against Old Dominion.

One of fans' favorite parts of spring practice (since they can't watch practices) is the fact that the Gamecock players and coaches speak to the media multiple times a week.

During his press conference after practice on Tuesday, Gamecock head coach Shane Beamer revealed that a veteran Carolina running back suffered an injury.

Running back Juju McDowell will miss the rest of spring practice after injuring his collarbone. McDowell hurt the collarbone diving for a pass in practice. According to Coach Beamer, he will have a "procedure" to fix the issue and is not considered to be out "long-term." McDowell injured his collarbone in the fall, as well, breaking it during the Gamecocks' win over Vanderbilt.

The 5'9" 185-pound McDowell has been utilized primarily as a scatback during his career, taking 140 carries and catching 43 passes during his South Carolina football career. McDowell has been at his best operating in space as a change-of-pace player. He has scored 8 touchdowns in his career and has logged around 900 yards from scrimmage.

Two of McDowell's three touchdowns last season came against the Florida Gators, and he scored a famous touchdown on a short pass from Spencer Rattler against the Tennessee Volunteers in the 2022 Gamecock upset that kept the Vols out of the College Football Playoff.

While McDowell is expected to finish with fewer carries this season than at least three other Gamecocks, his unique skillset will allow him to play a role in Dowell Loggains' offense in 2024.

#0 also has been a special teams contributor during his time in garnet and black, spending time as both a return man and a coverage player on kicking units.

It is unclear if McDowell's injury will cause him to get a delayed start to the season as he gets in game shape after returning from the collarbone surgery, but based on Beamer's prognosis of "not long-term," it would seem that the senior running back will be ready to go this fall.