Shane Beamer gives updates on Antwane Wells, Trey Knox
Shane Beamer provided updates on two of the team’s top offensive playmakers Saturday following South Carolina’s first fall scrimmage.
Both receiver Antwane “Juice” Wells and tight end Trey Knox were absent from the portion of Friday’s practice that was open to the media, and Beamer said both players didn’t participate in Saturday’s scrimmage, which was closed to the public.
Beamer said he expects Knox to be back in action Monday. Wells has a longer timetable. Beamer said Wells is dealing with a “lower-body injury” that will take time to heal but is optimistic that Wells will be ready for Week 1.
“He won’t be back next week but optimistic that he’ll be ready for Game 1 knowing how Juice attacks things,” Beamer said. “He’s got a little bit of a lower-body injury that he’s dealing with right now. And nothing long term. Just some things that he’s got to get a hold of, and he assures me he’s playing Game 1, and knowing him he will.”
Last year, Wells proved to be a great find out of the transfer portal for USC. The former James Madison wide receiver finished second in the SEC with 928 yards and added six receiving touchdowns, establishing himself as quarterback Spencer Rattler’s top target in the passing game.
Knox is a newcomer who followed his former Arkansas position coach Dowell Loggains to the Gamecocks. With Loggains serving as USC’s offensive coordinator, Knox is expected to lead a new-look tight end room that lost the likes of Jaheim Bell, Austin Stogner and Nate Adkins to the transfer portal and graduation.
While Wells and Knox are the headliners, Beamer listed a handful of players who missed the scrimmage but said he expects most to return to practice next week: defensive edge Terrell Dawkins, receiver Kelton Henderson, linebacker Pup Howard, tight end Reid Mikeska and defensive back David Spaulding.
Beamer said Wells and Mikeska are the only two players who won’t return to practice next week.
This story was originally published August 12, 2023 at 5:43 PM.
