South Carolina is happy to have running back and preseason Heisman candidate Marcus Lattimore back after a season-ending knee injury last year. However, running back health is still somewhat of an issue for the Gamecocks.
Steve Spurrier announced after Sunday’s practice that sophomore Brandon Wilds is still recovering from a sprained ankle that’s been nagging him for part of fall practices. Wilds is expected to miss two to three more weeks and could possibly redshirt since South Carolina is deep at the running back spot.
Behind Lattimore is fifth-year senior Kenny Miles and freshman Mike Davis. Reserve back Shon Carson had season-ending wrist surgery last week.
Wilds took over the USCe backfield last season when Lattimore went down with his knee injury and ended up starting five of the final six games. He finished with nearly 500 yards and three touchdowns as a true freshman, good enough to be second-best on the team.
South Carolina opens the season on Thursday at Vanderbilt (can’t wait!) before hosting East Carolina and UAB in early nonconference play.