The South Carolina Gamecocks are set to open SEC play against Mississippi State on Saturday afternoon. One of the biggest questions surrounding Shane Beamer and his Gamecock team is whether or not two of his biggest stars in left tackle Jacarrius Peak and EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart.
The good news for Gamecock fans is that both Peak and Stewart are listed on South Carolina's first injury report as "probable:"
Good news for South Carolina, with star DE Dylan Stewart and OL Jacarrius Peak probable and trending toward returning against Mississippi State. pic.twitter.com/C7thukmwTZ
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) September 17, 2026
As SEC teams across the conference are starting conference play, teams are now required to submit injury reports for players, starting three days before the game on Wednesday evening. The news comes as a huge relief, as neither guys have been able to play in South Carolina's first two games against Kent State and Towson.
Of course, Gamecocks fans would love to have seen them play for the first two games. But getting them back just in time for SEC play is the next best case scenario. Peak has been out dealing with a knee injury he sustained in February during a pickup basketball game. Stewart, meanwhile, was dealing with a back injury he sustained last season and played through.
“We’ll see where they are as the week goes,” Beamer said of both guys via Gamecock Central. “But they’re certainly trending in the right direction.”
Although neither of them have played for the Gamecocks just yet, Beamersounded optimistic last week when asked about them. He also added that both are practicing in full pads.
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In Peak's absence, South Carolina has started true freshman Darius Gray at left tackle. Getting both guys is huge for South Carolina, who faces off against a MSU team that is also 2-0. Bulldog quarterback Kamario Taylor has thrown for 570 yards with seven touchdowns across his first two games, including another 145 rush yards. He has been sacked just once so far.
South Carolina's defense getting Stewart back is huge for this game, matching up against Taylor. Across his two seasons with the Gamecocks he accounted for 11 sacks with six forced fumbles. Peak, meanwhile, allowed just seven sacks across over 2,000 snaps. South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers has been sacked once in each of his first two games.
Unfortunately for South Carolina's report, starting center Carter Miller is listed as questionable.
South Carolina's next injury report will be released on Thursday evening, so we'll see if either guy's status changes from probable. If Coach Beamer opts to take both guys off the injury report, that could suggest both Gamecocks are fully cleared.
The Gamecocks could be getting two of its biggest stars back just in time for SEC play.
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