Travian Robertson update: Shane Beamer reveals latest on health of South Carolina assistant

South Carolina defensive line coach Travian Robertson is making progress in his recovery from injuries suffered in a car accident he was in last month. Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer addresses the status of Robertson in a Tuesday press conference, saying the coach has been around the team.

Although he wasn’t involved in a lot of the pregame preparation, Robertson was able to make a visit to see the players and coaching staff Thursday before the SEC opener against Vanderbilt. Beamer spoke on what it felt like to get to see him face-to-face after the scary incident.

“As far as Travian goes, he’s making progress,” the coach explained. “He wasn’t in the building last Thursday, but he was over here in the parking lot after practice. Players got to see him, coaches got to see him. His wife drove him over and he wanted to see everybody. We’re in communication with him and talking regularly and he’s getting better every day.”

Robertson, a former defensive lineman himself for the Gamecocks from 2007-2011, has been the defensive line coach at South Carolina since the 2023 season. The accident occurred on the morning of Aug. 22 — roughly a week before the season opener — and resulted in a two-week hospital stay for Robertson.

Beamer explained in comments a week after the accident that he felt Robertson was “very lucky to be alive.” The defensive line coach was released from the hospital earlier this month but has still not been cleared to return to the team.

It’s still unclear when Travian Robertson might be back, and Jordan Dove has been filling in during his absence. Beamer told reporters when the accident occurred that Robertson’s health remained the primary focus, and that is certainly still the case.

“Everyone knows what this place means to him and how much it hurts him not to be here with us right now, but his health is the primary thing and (he) had some pretty serious stuff happen to him in that wreck,” Beamer said. “So, would ask for continued thoughts and prayers for he and his family.

“He is going to be okay. It’s nothing long-term. It’s just, physically, he’s not able to be down on the sidelines at a game right now.”

Coming off of a loss against Vanderbilt, the Gamecocks hit the road to take on No. 23 Missouri in Week 4. Kickoff for that contest is set for 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.