The South Carolina Gamecocks are set to have their spring football game, known as the "Garnet and Black" game, on April 14, 2012. Going into this contest, there are five key injuries to know about as you will not see the Gamecocks at 100 percent.
With that being said, the game will showcase the younger talent on the team that will help the Gamecocks continue their emergence as a legitimate SEC East contender.
The 2012 "Garnet and Black" game will help settle some questions, but don't judge USC completely as this will only be a sampling of the team you will see battle for BCS glory in 2012.
Here are the five key injuries to watch and be aware of:
Marcus Lattimore, RB
The Gamecocks will be without their stud, Marcus Lattimore, at running back during the upcoming spring football game on the field, but he will be there on the sidelines.
This past fall, Lattimore suffered a knee injury that shutdown his 2011 quest for a Heisman, but he will be healthy for the 2012 football season after undergoing surgery to repair his knee.
Lattimore may not be in action, but he is still the leader of the team. Look for him motivating players and being vocal along the sidelines.
Shon Carson, RB
Shon Carson is a second-year tailback who looks to get back to form after his season-ending knee injury in 2011. Just like Marcus Lattimore, this running back will not be part of spring drills.
Carson is one to watch this fall, as he showed lots of potential before his ACL tear in the Georgia game. The running back unit is deep for South Carolina, but expect Carson is push for carries behind Lattimore.
With two of the top rushers in the program out this spring, don't judge the Gamecocks run game by what you see in the "Garnet and Black" game.
D.J. Swearinger, S
D.J. Swearinger is poised for a big season in 2012 after his solid campaign last season elevated the Gamecocks secondary into one of the best in the nation.
For USC to be successful this coming season, Swearinger must heal his foot injury properly this spring so he can be where the Gamecocks need him heading into SEC play this fall.
Due to his absence, the South Carolina coaching staff will be able to see who else can hold down the safety spot as depth is a key issue facing the Gamecocks at that slot.
Akeem Auguste, DB
Akeem Auguste has a nagging foot injury that has put him on the shelf this spring as he works to get to 100 percent for fall ball.
The Gamecocks will need his senior leadership in the secondary this fall, and Auguste is slated to be one of the starters at corner.
If the spring game is full of pass completions, don't judge the secondary as Auguste will make it better this fall.
Shamier Jeffery, WR
Shamier Jeffery, the younger brother of Alshon Jeffery, had surgery this past Thursday to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. Due to this unfortunate circumstance, Jeffery will miss the remainder of spring practice but is expected to be healthy by fall.
This is a huge blow to the wide receiver corps as they must find a replacement for the production from the recently departed Alshon Jeffery. The younger Jeffery was having a good spring and much is still expected from him this fall as the Gamecocks need to find a capable wideout to help the USC passing game.
link: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1137340-south-carolina-spring-football-2012-5-key-injuries-to-watch?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=south-carolina-football#/articles/1137340-south-carolina-spring-football-2012-5-key-injuries-to-watch
With that being said, the game will showcase the younger talent on the team that will help the Gamecocks continue their emergence as a legitimate SEC East contender.
The 2012 "Garnet and Black" game will help settle some questions, but don't judge USC completely as this will only be a sampling of the team you will see battle for BCS glory in 2012.
Here are the five key injuries to watch and be aware of:
Marcus Lattimore, RB
The Gamecocks will be without their stud, Marcus Lattimore, at running back during the upcoming spring football game on the field, but he will be there on the sidelines.
This past fall, Lattimore suffered a knee injury that shutdown his 2011 quest for a Heisman, but he will be healthy for the 2012 football season after undergoing surgery to repair his knee.
Lattimore may not be in action, but he is still the leader of the team. Look for him motivating players and being vocal along the sidelines.
Shon Carson, RB
Shon Carson is a second-year tailback who looks to get back to form after his season-ending knee injury in 2011. Just like Marcus Lattimore, this running back will not be part of spring drills.
Carson is one to watch this fall, as he showed lots of potential before his ACL tear in the Georgia game. The running back unit is deep for South Carolina, but expect Carson is push for carries behind Lattimore.
With two of the top rushers in the program out this spring, don't judge the Gamecocks run game by what you see in the "Garnet and Black" game.
D.J. Swearinger, S
D.J. Swearinger is poised for a big season in 2012 after his solid campaign last season elevated the Gamecocks secondary into one of the best in the nation.
For USC to be successful this coming season, Swearinger must heal his foot injury properly this spring so he can be where the Gamecocks need him heading into SEC play this fall.
Due to his absence, the South Carolina coaching staff will be able to see who else can hold down the safety spot as depth is a key issue facing the Gamecocks at that slot.
Akeem Auguste, DB
Akeem Auguste has a nagging foot injury that has put him on the shelf this spring as he works to get to 100 percent for fall ball.
The Gamecocks will need his senior leadership in the secondary this fall, and Auguste is slated to be one of the starters at corner.
If the spring game is full of pass completions, don't judge the secondary as Auguste will make it better this fall.
Shamier Jeffery, WR
Shamier Jeffery, the younger brother of Alshon Jeffery, had surgery this past Thursday to repair a torn meniscus in his knee. Due to this unfortunate circumstance, Jeffery will miss the remainder of spring practice but is expected to be healthy by fall.
This is a huge blow to the wide receiver corps as they must find a replacement for the production from the recently departed Alshon Jeffery. The younger Jeffery was having a good spring and much is still expected from him this fall as the Gamecocks need to find a capable wideout to help the USC passing game.
link: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1137340-south-carolina-spring-football-2012-5-key-injuries-to-watch?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=south-carolina-football#/articles/1137340-south-carolina-spring-football-2012-5-key-injuries-to-watch
