Gamecocks get second opinion on Bentley injury. Decision soon for what happens next
South Carolina football coach Will Muschamp said the foot injury Jake Bentley suffered against North Carolina could have ended his season.
And Saturday, Muschamp was mum where things will go.
Bentley got a second opinion on if he’ll need surgery for a Lisfranc injury. Surgery would end his season, but if he doesn’t need it, he could possibly be back on the field in as little as six weeks. That means possibly missing five games.
Muschamp said the team got the opinion — declining to reveal specifics — but he wanted to meet with Jake and Bobby Bentley on Sunday to talk over the best course of action.
“We will visit on Sunday,” Muschamp said. “And once that family makes a decision, we’ll make a decision moving forward. I don’t know all the variables right now. So I don’t really want to comment outside of what they’ve told me.”
For now, four-star freshman Ryan Hilinski will step in for the program’s fourth-leading passer. Bentley opened the season poised to take down the program’s yardage and touchdown records.
Hilinski threw for 282 yards and two touchdowns in his debut Saturday.
If the injury lingers into the start of November or he has surgery, there is a possible scenario in which Bentley redshirts.
Other injuries:
▪ Offensive lineman Eric Douglas missed the game with an ankle but is expected back next week. He had been a game-time descision.
▪ Running back A.J. Turner dislocated his thumb and was taken to the hospital to get it re-set.
This story was originally published September 7, 2019 at 3:46 PM.
