Thursday injury report: Two OL out, Others upgraded

After South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer revealed earlier in the day that offensive linemen Cason Henry and Nolan Hay would miss his weekend’s matchup with Kentucky, the Thursday night update to the SEC availability report provided some positive news on some other Gamecocks dealing with injuries.

Defensive back Judge Collier and defensive tackle Gabe Brownlow-Dindy were both upgraded to probable on Thursday after Collier was listed as questionable on Wednesday and Brownlow-Dindy was listed as doubtful.

Defensive back Buddy Mack III, a key contributor on special teams, remains doubtful as of Thursday/.

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

The report confirmed what Beamer had already said during his call-in show, that Henry and Hay are out.

“Cason Henry and Nolan Hay will both be out this week,” Beamer said earlier. “They won’t play. That will come out on the injury report that is released every Thursday night at 8:00. They will be out and then everybody else we’re optimistic on right now.”

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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.

Collier has been trending towards a return, but defensive coordinator Clayton White suggested they may ease him back in, whenever he does return.

“He’s still grinding back from the injury, trying to get back in shape,” White said Wednesday. “It’s been a while since he’s played, so we’re definitely trying to make sure he’s in position before we just throw him back out there.”

Henry, who was banged up against Vanderbilt but was back in the starting lineup against the Tigers, exited after the first play of the game with what the broadcast said was a shoulder injury.

The next availability update will come out on Friday night at around 8:00 and a final report 90 minutes before kickoff on Saturday.

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.

South Carolina will be back at home on Saturday, Sept. 27, before heading into its first bye week. The Gamecocks will face Kentucky at 7:45 p.m. on SEC Network.

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