Injury report: Freshman OL to make South Carolina debut Saturday

Freshman offensive lineman Shed Sarratt, who generated plenty of early buzz throughout the offseason, will make his South Carolina debut in the Gamecocks’ Week 2 matchup with S.C. State.

Sarratt, a preseason member of the Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Watch List, likely would have played this past weekend against Virginia Tech but was still on the back end of his return from an injury and wasn’t quite ready.

But head coach Shane Beamer said on his call-in show Thursday night that Sarratt would play this week, while also providing an optimistic update on cornerback Judge Collier and EDGE JT Geer.

Join GamecockCentral now for $1 your first week and enjoy a complimentary year of The Athletic – included with your membership.

“Shed is gonna be a really good player for us,” Beamer said. “He was not on the trip to Atlanta, was not healthy. He is this week. He’ll play this Saturday night, so it’s good to have him back as well, a young offensive lineman that’s got a big future.

“Judge and JT Geer will not play on Saturday night. It’s nothing long-term with either one of them. I expect them both back next week, but they’re just not to where they would be able to play this Saturday.”

Collier played just nine snaps Sunday before exiting with the injury and was spotted on the sidelines on crutches with his knee in a cast.

Geer, South Carolina’s senior EDGE who had a sack in the game, exited in the second half and appeared to be holding his shoulder.

“We were very fortunate coming out of Virginia Tech, that was a very physical football game on both sides,” Beamer added. “I hate that those two guys got banged up a little bit but very fortunate that it was no one beyond those two and that those two aren’t long-term injuries.”

Sophomore sensation Dylan Stewart exited the game at one point but was able to return and Beamer reiterated on Thursday that the former five-star recruit is fine.

Sarratt is a four-star prospect out of Gaffney (S.C.) High, who enrolled early to go through spring practice with the Gamecocks. South Carolina held off Colorado to earn his signature.

Earlier in the week, Beamer was asked about wide receiver Jared Brown and tight end Michael Smith during his Tuesday press conference. 

Brown was dressed out and did run out with the first team initially in warmups, but was quickly replaced by Vandrevius Jacobs, who started in his place.

“Jared was healthy but he was a little bit limited in practice going into the game,” Beamer said. “So we had planned on playing him but then when we got into the game, he didn’t feel like and and we didn’t feel like he was quite where he needed to be as the game went on.”

Smith, who played a lot as a freshman last season, only played one snap on offense Sunday.

“Mike had been a little bit limited but also practice matters here, and not saying that he didn’t practice well, but we just felt like Brady Hunt, Jordan Dingle, and Moe Brown had been a little bit more efficient in practice going into the game,” Beamer said. “And we had planned on playing Mike a little bit more than what he did but he got a catch and didn’t have a ton of reps.

“Those are two of our better players,” Beamer added on Brown and Smith. “And we need them to prepare the right way during the week and then be able to go play more on Saturdays than what they did the other day.”

The Gamecocks will host S.C. State this weekend at Williams-Brice Stadium in their home opener with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+ and ESPN+.

Discuss South Carolina football on The Insiders Forum!