Shameik Blackshear to miss Gamecocks’ spring football practices

South Carolina sophomore defensive end Shameik Blackshear will not practice in spring practice as he continues to recover from injuries suffered in a December shooting.

Blackshear is one of four Gamecocks who will not practice this spring because of injury, according to USC. The others include:

▪  senior linebacker Jordan Diggs (shoulder surgery)

▪  junior defensive lineman Dante Sawyer (shoulder surgery)

▪  redshirt freshman offensive lineman Trey Derouen (knee injury)

USC coach Will Muschamp in January said Blackshear was the victim in the shooting and would not face any discipline from the university, football team or the police. Muschamp at the time said doctors were hopeful Blackshear will be able to play football again.

Sources after the shooting told The State that Blackshear was shot in the upper and lower body outside one of the Club at Carolina Stadium apartment buildings. A 911 call from a worker at a local hospital more specifically said he was shot in the leg.

The 6-foot-4, 250 pounder signed with South Carolina in February 2015, choosing the Gamecocks over offers from Clemson, Georgia, LSU and North Carolina. After recovering from a knee injury suffered in high school, he played briefly for the Gamecocks last season.

The Gamecocks’ spring practice begins next Tuesday, March 15.

Redshirt freshman receiver Jared Washington continues to make progress from a broken leg suffered in a late August practice. He could be limited this spring with the goal to be full recovered in time for preseason practice.

This story was originally published March 8, 2016 at 4:39 PM with the headline "Shameik Blackshear to miss Gamecocks’ spring football practices."