Shane Beamer gives update on Dylan Stewart’s status amid suspension
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Shane Beamer clarified Dylan Stewart’s status with the team on Tuesday during his session with reporters as Stewart serves a 1-game suspension that was jointly handed down by the SEC and South Carolina for punching an Alabama player in last Saturday night’s game.
The star edge rusher was initially suspended indefinitely by South Carolina on Sunday. Then the SEC weighed in on Monday, and that’s when the joint 1-game suspension was announced for Stewart’s role in punching Crimson Tide tight end Josh Ford during the Gamecocks’ 49-18 loss in Tuscaloosa.
“Such action against an opponent carries a serious risk of injury and has no place in our conference competition,” SEC commissioner Greg Sankey said on Monday.
In the aftermath of Stewart’s punishment, first by the school and then by the conference, Beamer was asked by reporters on Tuesday if Stewart was still with the Gamecocks.
“No, he’s not with the team right now,” Shane Beamer said. “And to answer your question and (as for) Jordan’s question, his role or involvement on this team will be decided going forward by me. But right now, he’s not with the football this week.”
There was another question from a reporter to Beamer on Tuesday about what would determine when or if Stewart would return to the program.
“Me,” said Beamer, not going any further than that.
Stewart won’t be available for the Gamecocks this Saturday as South Carolina tries to avoid losing 3 games in a row with a home matchup against Kentucky (4:15 p.m. ET, SEC Network). Here is what the Kalshi market is currently saying about the Gamecocks’ chances to stop their skid without Stewart:
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
