Will Muschamp provides several injury updates ahead of Vanderbilt
By Keith Farner
Published:
South Carolina is dealing with a host of injuries to key players ahead of its game with Vanderbilt on Saturday.
Coach Will Muschamp said at his regular press conference on Tuesday that RB Rico Dowdle (knee), OT Dylan Wonnum (ankle), DB A.J. Turner (hamstring) and Damani Staley (turf toe) would be out. Meanwhile OLÂ Sadarius Hutcherson and LB Ernest Jones will play.
Muschamp said Dowdle moved around really well at Tuesday’s practice, so he could possibly return next week. Wonnum also worked out.
“Hopefully get the majority of those guys back next week,” Muschamp said as the Gamecocks will play Appalachian State after Vanderbilt.
Muschamp also said backup QB/WR Dakereon Joyner is as healthy as he’s been in two or three weeks as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury. And while he was asked about QB Ryan Hilinski’s health and running ability, Muschamp said it’s clear that Hilinski is healthy despite a knee injury against Georgia.
“It’s not that he can’t run, it’s they need him to throw more effectively,” Muschamp said. “There are opportunities for him to run, but the defense can dictate that. “We need to throw the football better and that has nothing to do with running.”
The game is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
A former newspaper veteran, Keith Farner is a news manager for Saturday Down South.
