Analyzing the Texas A&M injury report ahead of South Carolina matchup

South Carolina will be on the road again this weekend. The Gamecocks will take on the Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday at Kyle Field. It will also be the final of five straight top-15 showdowns for the Gamecocks.

The two teams are heading in different directions after nine games. USC has lost six of seven (including four in a row), while Texas A&M is undefeated and nearly a lock for the College Football Playoff.

Heading into this weekend, neither team is at 100%. However, neither team is dealing with an abnormally large injury report, either.

As of Friday night, South Carolina has ruled out offensive linemen Cason Henry and Jatavius Shivers and defensive back Jalewis Solomon. Henry is out for the year, and Shivers was seen with a club on his hand the last several weeks. Wide receiver Jayden Sellers, defensive back/special teamer Buddy Mack, and EDGE Dylan Stewart were on last week’s SEC-mandated availability report but are unlisted this week. Left tackle Josiah Thompson was a Thursday addition to the report and was “questionable,” while reserve defensive back Jalewis Solomon carried a new “doubtful” designation. On Friday, Solomon downgraded to “out,” while Thompson was no longer on the report.

For A&M, the list is slightly longer.

Receiving “out” designations on the initial availability report were safeties Bryce Anderson and Rashad “Tom Tom” Johnson and running back Le’Veon Moss. Linebacker Scooby Williams was “doubtful,” and wide receiver Mario Craver was “questionable.” On Thursday, the Aggies downgraded Williams to “out.” Then, on Friday, Craver upgraded to “probable.”

But what do those injuries mean for Texas A&M this weekend as South Carolina comes to town?

The Insiders Forum: Discuss South Carolina football!

Moss, a really talented back, has been out for a month with an ankle injury. He remains tied for the team lead with six rushing touchdowns. Last season, he suffered an injury against the Gamecocks. In his stead, Amari Daniels handled most of the running back snaps. This year, Daniels could factor in again, but Rueben Owens likely will be the lead back. Even though he was in a timeshare with Moss this season, Owens has more rushing yards (542) and touchdowns (5) than anyone who wears garnet and black.

At safety, Johnson hasn’t factored in much in 2025, so his absence likely won’t be noticed. Anderson was an important player for the Aggies’ defense but hasn’t really played since September. He suffered a head/neck injury and saw brief action against Florida in October but hasn’t played other than that. The defense will rely on Myles Davis, Dalton Brooks, and Marcus Ratcliffe to help hold down the back end.

Linebacker Scooby Williams has missed four games with an undisclosed injury. Earlier this week, TAMU head coach Mike Elko indicated that the senior defender was getting close to a return to action. However, that will not happen. Daymion Sanford, who was already an important rotational player at the position, should start at linebacker in Williams’ stead. The ‘backer trio of Williams, Sanford, and Taurean York has been great for Texas A&M this season.

Arguably, the biggest injury to watch for Saturday, though, is at the wide receiver position. Mario Craver is an All-American candidate who has logged 850 yards of offense and five touchdowns through nine games. The Aggies’ leading receiver limped off the field in the third quarter against Missouri. If he can’t go, fellow star receiver KC Concepcion could have an increased target load, and talented pass-catchers like Terry Bussey and Ashton Bethel-Roman will see more action than normal. With his upgrade to “probable,” Craver likely will play, but it will be worth watching to see if he will be limited.

On3 APP! Get GamecockCentral notifications

Like every team, Texas A&M has some banged-up players not on the availability report. Senior offensive lineman Ar’Maj Reed-Adams, a future NFL player, left the Aggies’ most recent game against Missouri. However, he is not on this week’s availability report and will play against the Gamecocks.

No other players were on last week’s report.

Saturday’s conference matchup will begin at noon (Eastern). ESPN will carry the television broadcast, and the ESPN app will make the action available via streaming.

The Insiders Forum: Discuss South Carolina football