South Carolina could be getting a key piece of its secondary back this weekend. Starting cornerback Judge Collier returned to practice on Tuesday this week after missing most of the first four games of the season and is trending toward a return.
The SEC's first weekly availability report, released Wednesday night, did list Collier and safety DQ Smith as questionable for Saturday's matchup against Kentucky. Defensive tackle Gabe Brownlow-Dindy, defensive back Buddy Mack III, and offensive lineman Nolan Hay and Cason Henry were all listed as doubtful.
Head coach Shane Beamer was cautiously optimistic when asked about injuries earlier in the week. "Injury-wise, we'll have a report for you tomorrow night, nobody that we'd say right now is out," Beamer said during his press conference on Tuesday "It was good to see Judge Collier back at practice today, hopefully he will continue to trend in the right direction."
Collier, along with Smith and tight end Mike Smith, missed South Carolina's 29-20 loss at Missouri. Mike Smith was not included in Wednesday's report, meaning that he is expected to return this weekend.
Collier’s Recovery
Defensive coordinator Clayton White confirmed Wednesday that the staff is taking a careful approach with Collier's return. “He’s still grinding back from the injury, trying to get back in shape,” White said. “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.”
Offensive Line Concerns
On the offense, Henry's status remains one to watch. He left the game last weekend after one snap due to a shoulder injury, despite battling through a previous setback against Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks are already thin up front, making his potential absence another challenge against a Kentucky defense that thrives on pressure.
SEC’s Availability System
This week also marked the latest update under the SEC's new player availability system, which was approved in 2023. Schools must file availability reports three days before each football game, with updates on Thursday, Friday, and a final report 90 minutes before kickoff. The system mirrors the NFL model, with designations ranging from "probable" to "game-time decision." Penalties for late or inaccurate reports can run as high as $100,000 in football.
Looking Ahead
South Carolina will host Kentucky at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday night with kickoff set for 7:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network. After that, the Gamecocks will enter their first bye week of the 2025 season.