As South Carolina continues to lick its wound from a beatdown at the hands of Florida this past weekend, they’ll again be forced to end its two-game losing streak without a starting member of its defense.
The Gamecocks confirmed Thursday that defensive tackle Kelcy Quarles will miss the game against Tennessee due to injury. The lineman missed the loss to the Gators due to a shoulder injury incurred during the loss to LSU, the same injury that will keep him out of the Vols game.
To be technically correct, though, Quarles missed that last game due to a “suspension” for throwing a punch directed at the facemask of an LSU offensive lineman. be that as it may, the lingering injury issue will be the official reason for Quarles’ absence this Saturday.
“He’s improved and did some running around on the field the last couple of days with the trainers and they feel really good that he’ll be back after having an off week next week and be ready to play against Arkansas,” defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said following Thursday’s practice.
Quarles started the first seven games of the season for the Gamecocks, and has been credited with six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.