Aside from the multiple cases of cramping in the season opener, South Carolina’s 17-13 victory over North Carolina was a bruiser for the offense.
Even with two extra days off and an added Saturday practice, it is possible the Gamecocks will have to dive into their depth chart this Saturday night for the home opener against Kentucky (1-0).
Quarterback Connor Mitch (hip pointer), wide receivers Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and Terry Googer (bruised thigh), and running back Brandon Wilds (bruised shoulder) are all banged up and on the questionable side according to head coach Steve Spurrier.
“I don’t know if they’ll be back by the weekend,” Spurrier said during his Sunday teleconference. “We’ll have to see how it goes through the week. We think (Mitch) will be available. He won’t practice on Monday though.”
Mitch’s injury seems to be the least serious of the four. He injured himself in the third quarter against the Tar Heels, was brought to the locker room and then returned to help the Gamecocks win a close game.
During his absence, backup Perry Orth completed both of his throws for a total of 24 yards.
Samuel suffered the hamstring injury after returning a kickoff and did not return to the game. The redshirt freshman did not record any receiving statistics in his first career action.
Outside of Pharoh Cooper, who also got hurt in the game, Googer was the only other productive wide receiver with two catches for 39 yards.
If Samuel is held out, Googer is limited, and Cooper is not 100 percent then the Gamecocks receiving core will have to dive into the depth chart and possibly pull out two true freshmen in D.J. Neal and Jalen Christian in order to fill the void.
Players ahead of them on the depth chart include seniors Carlton Heard and Shamier Jeffery and junior Matrick Belton. Neither of the three had any impact last week in Charlotte, N.C.
Using depth at this skill position is the most worrisome for the Head Ball Coach. The Gamecocks did not move the ball nearly as well as he was hoping and now there is a chance they’ll have to try without two starters.
“Yeah, we’re worried a little bit,” Spurrier said of his receiving core. “We’re worried about getting somebody open and throwing the ball successfully. We didn’t do it very well the other night. We had a few plays that went sort of like you draw them up, but not many.”
Wilds was held out for a majority of the second half with his injury until the big back was needed on the last possession of the game. He gained two first downs to run out the clock.
During his absence, third string tailback Shon Carson put the Gamecocks ahead in the fourth quarter with a 48-yard touchdown run.
Spurrier stated Wilds’ status for Saturday as “a little iffy” and if he can’t go, Carson will be the second string back behind David Williams.
“Shon and David could be the first two this coming week,” Spurrier said. “Depends on how Brandon recuperates between now and Saturday.”
Week two isn’t one Carolina can take lightly. The Gamecocks lost to the Wildcats last season 45-38, a team that has dangerous athletes on offense.
The USC offense will likely have to rely on some contributions from depth players at three positions; quarterback, running back, and wide receiver to put up the necessary points to beat its first SEC opponent.
All four injuries aren’t shelving these players for the home opener. They aren’t ruled out for the game and all four could play and start if they get the necessary rest and recovery over the remaining five days. However, if they can’t go this offense will learn a lot about the second and third team players on the depth chart.
Even with two extra days off and an added Saturday practice, it is possible the Gamecocks will have to dive into their depth chart this Saturday night for the home opener against Kentucky (1-0).
Quarterback Connor Mitch (hip pointer), wide receivers Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and Terry Googer (bruised thigh), and running back Brandon Wilds (bruised shoulder) are all banged up and on the questionable side according to head coach Steve Spurrier.
“I don’t know if they’ll be back by the weekend,” Spurrier said during his Sunday teleconference. “We’ll have to see how it goes through the week. We think (Mitch) will be available. He won’t practice on Monday though.”
Mitch’s injury seems to be the least serious of the four. He injured himself in the third quarter against the Tar Heels, was brought to the locker room and then returned to help the Gamecocks win a close game.
During his absence, backup Perry Orth completed both of his throws for a total of 24 yards.
Samuel suffered the hamstring injury after returning a kickoff and did not return to the game. The redshirt freshman did not record any receiving statistics in his first career action.
Outside of Pharoh Cooper, who also got hurt in the game, Googer was the only other productive wide receiver with two catches for 39 yards.
If Samuel is held out, Googer is limited, and Cooper is not 100 percent then the Gamecocks receiving core will have to dive into the depth chart and possibly pull out two true freshmen in D.J. Neal and Jalen Christian in order to fill the void.
Players ahead of them on the depth chart include seniors Carlton Heard and Shamier Jeffery and junior Matrick Belton. Neither of the three had any impact last week in Charlotte, N.C.
Using depth at this skill position is the most worrisome for the Head Ball Coach. The Gamecocks did not move the ball nearly as well as he was hoping and now there is a chance they’ll have to try without two starters.
“Yeah, we’re worried a little bit,” Spurrier said of his receiving core. “We’re worried about getting somebody open and throwing the ball successfully. We didn’t do it very well the other night. We had a few plays that went sort of like you draw them up, but not many.”
Wilds was held out for a majority of the second half with his injury until the big back was needed on the last possession of the game. He gained two first downs to run out the clock.
During his absence, third string tailback Shon Carson put the Gamecocks ahead in the fourth quarter with a 48-yard touchdown run.
Spurrier stated Wilds’ status for Saturday as “a little iffy” and if he can’t go, Carson will be the second string back behind David Williams.
“Shon and David could be the first two this coming week,” Spurrier said. “Depends on how Brandon recuperates between now and Saturday.”
Week two isn’t one Carolina can take lightly. The Gamecocks lost to the Wildcats last season 45-38, a team that has dangerous athletes on offense.
The USC offense will likely have to rely on some contributions from depth players at three positions; quarterback, running back, and wide receiver to put up the necessary points to beat its first SEC opponent.
All four injuries aren’t shelving these players for the home opener. They aren’t ruled out for the game and all four could play and start if they get the necessary rest and recovery over the remaining five days. However, if they can’t go this offense will learn a lot about the second and third team players on the depth chart.
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