Dylan Stewart injury update: South Carolina star heads to locker room vs. Oklahoma

South Carolina star pass rusher Dylan Stewart was injured on the opening drive of the Week 8 game against Oklahoma. He limped off the field and was taken to the medical tent before heading to the locker room with trainers.

After he was taken out of the game, the Sooners would find the end zone to take an opening 7-0 lead. During the 11-play drive that spanned 75 yards, QB John Mateer completed four passes and RB Tory Blaylock rushed four 39 yards, including an 18-yards touchdown run.

It remains to be seen what the extend of Stewart’s injury is. However, missing his services for any bit of Saturday’s matchup is a blow for the prized edge rusher. The disruptive sophomore had 13 solo tackles, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles on the season as far, and is looked at as one of the leaders on this Gamecocks defense.

“He looks frustrated,” SEC Network’s Alyssa Lang said on the sideline before he was taken to the locker room. “He’s been motioning toward that right hip, trying to sort of work that out. He actually has his hand on it right now as he’s walking down the sidelines with the trainer.”

Stewart would emerge from the locker room before the end of the first quarter with his helmet in-hand — a good sign for the Gamecocks star. Lang identified the apparent injury as a flexor issue. It was iced before he returned to the sideline and spent time on the stationary bike before jogging up and down the South Carolina sideline.

“Still looks a little uncomfortable,” Lang said. “But I’m told he’s trying to come back in.”

He re-entered the game before the end of the first half. However, he was re-injured early in the second quarter.

Stewart entered his sophomore season coming off a breakout true freshman season in Columbia. Though, halfway through his sophomore season is creeping up on his season totals from one year ago. As a freshman, he totaled 6.5 sacks — three more than he currently has. Other than that, his numbers are nearly identical from one year ago.

Notably, he’s finding his way to the ball more this season. He finished 2024 with six assisted tackles on the year, but already has 14 this season. That’s a testament to the star pass rusher getting to the football more often and playing through the whistle.

That type of hustle is irreplaceable, so the Gamecocks are hoping to have his services back before the end of the Week 8 matchup. Desmond Umeozulu came in to fill Stewart’s position while out.