Shane Beamer provides injury update on Jacarrius Peak, Dylan Stewart for season opener vs. Kent State
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Shane Beamer and South Carolina open the 2026 season against Kent State on Sept. 6 at Williams-Brice Stadium. But the Gamecocks could be missing two core players against the Golden Flashes.
Beamer, during the first “Carolina Calls” of the season, revealed that offensive lineman Jacarrius Peak, who transferred in from NC State in the offseason, and defensive end Dylan Stewart (12.0 TFLs, 4.5 sacks in 2025) will be “doubtful” for the opener.
Peak was initially injured in February while playing a pickup basketball game. But according to CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, he could return in time for Week 3, when the Gamecocks start SEC play against Mississippi State. Meanwhile, Stewart’s injury, which is to his back, goes back to 2025.
Another player has a bit of a better prognosis. That’s tight end Brady Hunt, who had 168 yards and 21 receptions for the Gamecocks in 2025. Beamer said that Hunt should be a go for Kent State, but he “would be listed as questionable if USC were playing this Saturday,” according to Gamecock Central’s Jack Veltri.
Despite those injuries, South Carolina should be a favorite against Kent State in just the second all-time meeting between the two programs. The Golden Flashes were 5-7 in 2025.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
