Practice report: USC’s injury outlook improves

South Carolina’s injury forecast for the weekend is getting brighter and brighter.

Quarterback Connor Mitch (hip), wide receivers Terry Googer (thigh) and Deebo Samuel (hamstring) and running back Brandon Wilds (shoulder) all practiced Tuesday and are expected to play Saturday against Kentucky.

“Most of our guys are pretty healthy,” head coach Steve Spurrier said during his weekly news conference.

Wilds, who leads the Gamecocks in all-purpose yards (95) after one week, practiced without contact Tuesday and pronounced himself fully ready to play.

“Yes, I will be able to play Saturday,” he said.

Reserve center Cody Waldrop, who suffered a broken bone in his lower leg during Saturday’s practice may not return this season, forcing the Gamecocks to return Clayton Stadnik to the offensive line. Stadnik played offensive line his first two seasons at South Carolina but then moved to tight end in spring practice after losing nearly 30 pounds in the winter. He is working at center this week, Spurrier said. Stadnik is listed at 240 pounds on the team’s roster, but he is actually heavier than that, Spurrier said.

“Clayton is a light center, but he’s 250, 55 or 60, something like that,” Spurrier said. “He could play in there.”

Defensive tackle Dante Sawyer (hamstring) and cornerback Chris Lammons (ribs) did not practice Tuesday.

Sophomore Jamari Smith also is switching positions, although that’s not solely in response to injury. Smith, who already has been a defensive back and a running back in his short career, is at wide receiver this week in hopes of boosting the team’s depth at that position. He will wear No. 83.

Calling Nunez’s Number. Freshman quarterback Lorenzo Nunez, a four-star prospect out of Georgia, remains an active part of the team’s practices and could make his collegiate debut this week, Spurrier said.

“There’s a chance he’ll be out there this week,” Spurrier said.

The Gamecocks have not worked Nunez, a dual-threat quarterback with blazing speed, at wide receiver yet, Spurrier said.

D-line depth. Deke Adams said that the defensive line rotation against UNC – first line, second line, third line – was mostly because of the speed of the Tar Heels’ offense. The trend may continue, though, depending on game conditions. If it’s expected to be another hot and muggy day, USC could stick with the rotations.

Adams also said that just because Kelsey Griffin (two sacks) isn’t on the starting depth chart, don’t take it too seriously. He doesn’t like to get into the depth chart so early in the week. Griffin is working hard, and has a chance to start just like anybody else, Adams said.

Cedrick Cooper said that getting four sacks as a defense was great, but they’re not going to get over-confident that they can keep doing it, although Kentucky’s Patrick Towles is more of a drop-back passer. “If we can get sacks, great," Cooper said. “If we can’t, we need to.”

Statue Buddies. Former Gamecocks running back George Rogers, the 1980 Heisman Trophy winner, will have his statue at Williams-Brice Stadium unveiled at 4 p.m. Saturday. He will join Spurrier among a handful of SEC legends with their own statues at stadiums.

“I think it’s wonderful for George, wonder that our school is recognizing a Heisman Trophy winner and player that represents us after his college days all over the country everywhere he goes, he’s proud of South Carolina, wears his gear everywhere.

Spurrier, the 1966 Heisman Trophy winner, has a statue outside Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

“I was honored and so forth,” Spurrier said. “I’ve still got a day job that I’ve got to worry about. I don’t sit around and think about that too much.”

Extra Points. South Carolina’s coaches will be wearing gold whistles and arm bands Saturday in an effort to raise money for Curing Kids Cancer. “I’m sure we’d all like to do our best to help eradicate that some day,” Spurrier said. … Freshman linebacker Sherrod Pittman probably will redshirt this season, linebackers coach Kirk Botkin said. … Chaz Elder did not play Thursday night. “Chris (Lammons) was playing well,” defensive co-coordinator Jon Hoke said.

This story was originally published September 8, 2015 at 12:29 PM with the headline "Practice report: USC’s injury outlook improves."