South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said on Tuesday Gamecocks wide receiver Mazeo Bennett should be able to return to action Saturday against Vanderbilt and Wednesday’s mandatory player availability report indicated the same.
In fact, Wednesday’s official report did not even list Bennett, meaning he’s fully expected to play this week.
Beamer also said on Tuesday that he did not expect senior defensive tackle DeAndre Jules to return this week and Wednesday’s report lists him as “doubtful” for the matchup with the Commodores.
“He’s a little closer (but) I doubt (Jules is) going to be ready this weekend,” Beamer said Tuesday. “We’ll see but I would say we’re not anticipating that at this point. We’ll see how he is tomorrow. Mazeo practiced today; he should be good. Everyone else that left the game the other night practiced today and should be good.”
The Gamecocks’ depth at defensive tackle is being slightly tested considering that fellow reserve defensive lineman Nick Barrett is also listed as “doubtful” with an unknown injury.
Wednesday’s report lists linebacker Mo Kaba and freshman running back Matthew Fuller as “out” with unknown ailments along with Jakai Moore who has missed the entire season. Walk-on defensive back Buddy Mack is doubtful.
Bennett left Saturday’s win over Texas A&M late in the first half and did not return with what was deemed an upper body injury at the time.
He has been a consistent target in the slot throughout the season for the Gamecocks.
Jules was injured against Ole Miss and has missed the last three games. He was a key rotational guy for the Gamecocks at defensive tackle.
Beamer will likely give another injury report on Thursday during his call-in show at 6 p.m. and then a second player availability report will come out later that night at around 8 p.m.
The SEC recently approved a player availability injury report system for football, men’s and women’s basketball and baseball.
SEC school personnel must submit availability reports three days before each football game, with daily updates leading to a final report 90 minutes before game time. For basketball and baseball, reports are filed the night before, with an update on game day.
When schools submit injury reports, players will be designated as available, probable, doubtful, and questionable before game day. On game day, designations will be available, game-time decision or out. The model follows injury reports similar to the NFL.
The Gamecocks and Commodores are set for a 4:15 p.m. ET kickoff in Nashville on Saturday with SEC Network carrying the action.
