Final injury report for South Carolina ahead of Week 5 showdown

Injury-wise, things will remain the same for South Carolina ahead of its Week 5 matchup against Kentucky on Saturday.

With 90 minutes until kickoff from Williams-Brice Stadium (7:45 p.m., SECN), the final SEC availability report is in. The Gamecocks will be down three players, including defensive back Buddy Mack III and offensive linemen Nolan Hay and Cason Henry.

Hay and Henry are the biggest losses as they both started on the offensive line last weekend against Missouri. Henry had started in every game so far this season, but Hay made his first start for the Gamecocks in Week 4.

The good news is that defensive back Judge Collier and defensive tackle Gabe Brownlow-Dindy have been cleared to play. Collier hasn’t played since Week 1. Brownlow-Dindy played last week, but he appeared on the injury report up until he wasn’t on it on Friday.

Defensive back DQ Smith, who missed the Missouri game, was removed from the availability report entirely on Thursday, meaning he’s expected to play on Saturday.

Tight end Mike Smith missed the Missouri game and offensive guard Trovon Baugh only played on special teams, but neither was on Wednesday’s report, meaning both are expected to be available this week.

Meanwhile, Kentucky will be down a handful of players for Saturday. Defensive back DJ Waller Jr., running back Jamarion Wilcox, defensive lineman Nic Smith, wide receiver David Washington Jr., tight end Elijah Brown and wide receiver Preston Bowman are all out.

Quarterback Zach Calzada and offensive lineman Aba Selm were both questionable on Friday. Calzada no longer appears on the report, meaning he’ll be good to go. Selm will be a game-time decision.

Last season, the SEC approved a player availability injury report system for football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball.

SEC school personnel must submit availability reports three days before each football game, with daily updates leading to a final report 90 minutes before game time. For basketball and baseball, reports are filed the night before, with an update on game day.

According to the SEC, penalties for inaccurate or late reports will range from $25,000 to $100,000 for football and anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000 for basketball and baseball.

When schools submit injury reports, players will be designated as available, probable, doubtful, and questionable before game day. On game day, designations will be available, game-time decision or out. The model follows injury reports similar to the NFL.

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