South Carolina is trying to get its leading receiver back this week when it travels to Kentucky.

Shi Smith, who has been in concussion protocol since early in the Missouri game two weeks ago, was in a non-contact jersey at practice on Tuesday morning, interim coach Mike Bobo said at a Tuesday press conference. That’s a promising sign as Smith continues to progress through the concussion protocol.

Bobo also said that DL JJ Enagbare, who missed the Georgia game because of COVID-19, and LB Ernest Jones, who suffered a leg injury and didn’t finish the Georgia game, did not practice on Tuesday. Even with that missed time, Enagbare still leads the SEC with six sacks. Jones is another valuable member of the team as he leads the Gamecocks with 86 tackles.

Bobo also praised Smith for fighting to return to action in a year where he could have opted out, or otherwise decided not to finish the season.

“I’m proud of Shi,” Bobo said. “Shi’s a guy that we challenged when we got here, told him what we needed out of him, to help this football team and for him to be successful. Coach (Joe) Cox has done a really good job with him, he’s done a good job and we’re trying to game plan yesterday and went and found him and he said, ‘I’m trying to go.’ Ultimately it’s the doctor’s decision … but I’m excited he’s out there, I didn’t think he was going to do as much as he did today.”

Bobo added that the seniors’ legacy will not be in wins, but how they fought through adversity, and pass that down to the younger guys how to work.

“I think Shi is a good example of that,” Bobo said.