South Carolina gets more optimistic injury report but waiting for results for senior tight end

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said Saturday night after the Gamecocks’ 38-10 win over S.C. State that the injury list was “too long to name.”

Less than 24 hours later, on his Sunday teleconference, Beamer was more optimistic about South Carolina getting back many of the players who had to exit the S.C. State game early.

“Looking at it from a health standpoint, we’re better today than I thought we might be last night when I met with you guys,” Beamer said. “Feel pretty optimistic on everyone as we sit here today in regards to being able to play Saturday night against Vanderbilt. Brady Hunt is the only one that we’re doing some testing on today, and still getting some of the results back from that, so keeping our fingers crossed and prayers for him that we get a good report here this afternoon. But everybody else is trending to being able to play this weekend.”

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South Carolina’s senior tight end exited Saturday’s game after just six snaps.

Starting nickel Jalon Kilgore didn’t suit up on Saturday. After last week’s win over Virginia Tech, Beamer said that Kilgore had been dealing with a nagging hamstring injury, which limited him.

On top of Kilgore being down in Week 2, the Gamecocks also took a hit with their depth at the nickel spot.

Brandon Cisse, who stepped in as the starter at nickel after playing corner and nickel last week, exited the game early after colliding with a teammate.

Freshman Jaquel Holman entered the game in his place but then also left the game with an injury and was on the sidelines with his arm in a sling. Kelvin Hunter stepped in and played well in their place.

Cornerback and punt returner Vicari Swain‘s special night that saw him return two more punts for touchdowns ended with a negative as he also exited the game early and was “banged up,” according to Beamer.

Beamer mentioned on Saturday that left tackle Josiah Thompson was also banged up in the win.

Coming into the night, the Gamecocks were already without Judge Collier and JT Geer. Collier played just nine snaps in Week 1 before exiting with the injury and was spotted on the sidelines on crutches. Geer exited in the second half last Sunday and appeared to be holding his shoulder.

Beamer mentioned during Carolina Calls that he expects both players to return in time for the SEC opener against Vanderbilt next Saturday.

Hunter, a redshirt freshman in his second year with the program, was tied for second on the defense with four tackles on Saturday.

South Carolina will be back at home next Saturday, Sept. 13, as it opens SEC play against Vanderbilt. Kickoff will be at 7:45 p.m. on SEC Network from Williams-Brice Stadium.

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