Shane Beamer provides optimistic injury update on Judge Collier, JT Geer

South Carolina may have feared the worst when starting cornerback Judge Collier went down early in the win over Virginia Tech with a knee injury, but subsequent tests revealed that Collier does not have a long-term injury.

“Judge Collier and J.T. Geer are the only two coming out of the game with Virginia Tech that we’re concerned about. I would say they are doubtful for this week but thankfully it won’t be long-term,” head coach Shane Beamer said during his Tuesday press conference. “We were a little concerned about Judge, his injury being long-term, but it wasn’t and won’t be. Don’t know if he’ll be quite ready this week, but we’ll see. They’re trying like heck to get back.”

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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.

Wide receiver Jared 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.”

Beamer was also asked about sophomore tight end Michael Smith, who played a lot as a freshman last season but 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.

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