Rico Dowdle on track to make debut for Gamecocks

South Carolina freshman running back Rico Dowdle (groin) practiced Sunday and is expected to play on special teams this week, but it’s unclear when he’ll be ready to help in the offensive backfield, head coach Will Muschamp said.

Dowdle was injured in the preseason.

“He has missed a lot of time so there are issues for him in terms of ball security and those types of things,” Muschamp said.

Dowdle traveled to Kentucky and spent extra time in pregame warmups working with running backs coach Bobby Bentley. Dowdle took handoffs and caught passes from freshman quarterback Jake Bentley on Saturday.

The Shrine Bowler from A.C. Reynolds High in Asheville, N.C., ran for 2,545 yards and 51 touchdowns as a senior.

Sophomore wide receiver Deebo Samuel (hamstring) is expected to play Saturday, Muschamp said. Samuel has missed the last two games despite being expected to play in both. He has four catches for 66 yards this season.

Senior safety Chaz Elder, a starter until a rib injury suffered two weeks ago, practiced Sunday and could play this week, Muschamp said. Freshman wide receiver Randrecous Davis (hamstring) will miss his second straight game.

Linebacker Larenz Bryant (hamstring) and offensive linemen Blake Camper (ankle) and Donnell Stanley (ankle) are expected to be out until at least Oct. 15.

This story was originally published September 25, 2016 at 9:31 PM.