Two more South Carolina defenders cleared for LSU game

Two more South Carolina defenders have been cleared for action against LSU this weekend, according to the Friday update to the SEC availability report.

After being listed as probable on Thursday, Gamecocks cornerback Myles Norwood and defensive tackle Troy Pikes were not listed on Friday’s report, meaning they’ll be available for South Carolina on Saturday night in Baton Rouge.

Cornerback Judge Collier, listed as questionable earlier this week, was already cleared on Thursday’s report.

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“Myles tweaked something in practice this week; he’ll be fine,” Shane Beamer said Thursday during his call-in show. “Judge Collier, he’s good to go. Troy Pikes got banged up a little bit in practice yesterday but he practiced today and he’ll be fine by Saturday.”

Unfortunately for South Carolina, it will be without offensive linemen Cason Henry, Nolan Hay, and Markee Anderson.

“The Prisma Health Injury Report this week is basically the Prisma Health O-line Injury report because really everyone but the offensive line is good,” Beamer said.

Henry and Hay both missed the Kentucky game, but Beamer was optimistic after that both would be back for this week. Henry went down early in the Vanderbilt game, looked good to go for Missouri, but then exited with an injury on the same shoulder after just one play.

Hay made his first career start with South Carolina against Missouri but exited with a knee injury.

“I hate that for them and for us but hopefully we can get those guys back soon,” Beamer said.

“Hopefully it won’t be long term,” Beamer added on Henry. “He did some tests this week and still waiting to hear back the plan of attack for him but hopefully it won’t be long term.”

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.

The Gamecocks will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 11, when they travel to Baton Rouge to face No. 11 LSU with kickoff set for 7:45 p.m. ET.

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