South Carolina’s RJ Roderick won’t play in today’s Arkansas game
South Carolina will be without one of its defensive starters on Saturday.
Defensive back RJ Roderick did not travel for the Gamecocks’ Southeastern Conference opener against Arkansas, according to a gameday roster shared by USC on Saturday.
While USC is without Roderick, running back Christian Beal-Smith will suit up for the Gamecocks, Beamer said Thursday night. Beal-Smith missed the opener with a foot injury. He was listed on Saturday’s travel roster.
Beal-Smith transferred to USC from Wake Forest where he led the Demon Deacons in rushing last season.
Wide receiver Dakereon Joyner, who did not play in the season opener, is with the Gamecocks in Fayetteville.
Defensive back David Spaulding did not travel for the game.
Transfer wide receiver Corey Rucker (left foot) is out for a second-straight game.
Roderick left last week’s game against Georgia State, holding his right arm on just the seventh play from scrimmage and did not return. Roderick appeared to injure the arm during a tackle attempt.
USC coach Shane Beamer on his radio show Thursday said “we’ll see” when it came to Roderick’s status for the game.
Roderick is in his fifth season, fourth as a starter, after deciding to return for one last season in Columbia. He finished the 2021 campaign with 64 tackles and two forced fumbles.
Freshman Nick Emmanwori of Irmo High School stepped in for Roedrick in the first quarter and played well during his first college game. He played a game-high 65 snaps, had three tackles and played a variety of spots in the secondary.
“I’ve been telling you guys about Nick Emmanwori from Irmo and y’all saw that tonight,” Beamer told reporters after the Georgia State game. “Nick had to be in a lot earlier than what we expected and wow for a true freshman to play like that in game one…excited to watch him continue to get better.”
This story was originally published September 10, 2022 at 11:19 AM.
