The South Carolina Gamecocks have resumed preseason practice for the 2026 campaign after a series of setbacks that sidelined several key contributors.
Coach Shane Beamer confirmed that both offensive lineman Jacarrius Peak and edge rusher Dylan Stewart are progressing through their recovery protocols, with doctors giving positive updates on their conditions.
Peak, who transferred from NC State, first suffered a knee injury during a February basketball game and missed the entirety of spring drills, while Stewart’s nagging back problem dates back to his sophomore season and forced him to step away from the program last year.
The coaching staff has said that both players are on track for full participation as the team moves forward, but they will be monitored closely as the schedule unfolds.
In addition to the two high‑profile returnees, the roster has been hit by other injuries. Freshman walk‑on wide receiver Jackson Repp will miss the entire season after an unspecified injury, and sophomore reserve linebacker Josh Smith was limited on the first day of practice following a spring‑time setback.
Veteran left tackle Josiah Thompson, a two‑year starter, will also sit out the upcoming campaign due to a lower‑leg injury, further thinning the offensive line.
Phased Return to Full Contact
Beamer outlined a staged approach to the preseason, noting that full‑pad drills will not commence until August 14, allowing the medical staff to assess player readiness gradually.
The Gamecocks open the season against Kent State on September 5, with kickoff scheduled for 12:45 p.m. ET and a broadcast on the SEC Network.