Skai Moore improving, won’t participate in bowl practices

South Carolina linebacker Skai Moore is probably ready to get back on the football field, but he won’t be doing it during bowl prep.

The senior was forced to redshirt by a neck injury that required Level 1 fusion surgery. His rehab took a long time and he’s set to play next season.

Even if he could go in the coming practices, that’s not on the table.

“He’s been cleared for non-contact, but we’re not going to practice him right now,” Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp said. “He was cleared about a month ago to lift, fully lift, all the axle loading and stuff, so he’s been able to do all those things.”

So why not send him out?

“It’s not worth it,” Muschamp said. “Everything is healing extremely well.”

Moore had projected to be USC’s top defender coming off last season. The former All-SEC player led the team in tackles three times and interceptions twice.

It’s also worth noting that even if Moore could get back on the field, he wouldn’t be doing it immediately because of the structure of the team’s developmental practices.

“The seniors aren’t practicing the first two practices,” Muschamp said. “They’re not even going to go on the field. We’re going to lift them and run them, make sure we’re in good shape and get them back in the swing of it.”