SEC Injury Roundup
South Carolina DE Jadeveon Clowney (shoulder) should be ready to terrorize quarterbacks by the start of the season. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
With the season fast approaching, this seems like a good time to take a look at injuries – and some non-injuries – in the various team camps.
Alabama
QB AJ McCarron (foot) – Impact: 10, Concern: 0
During Alabama’s Saturday scrimmage, McCarron bruised his foot. Coach Nick Saban said he wouldn’t so much as miss a practice.
CB Deion Belue (hamstring) – Impact: 9, Concern: 5
Saban isn’t often transparent on the injury front, but he did let on that Belue did not play in Saturday’s scrimmage and seemed to indicate that Belue is at about “three-quarters speed.”
LB Reuben Foster (stinger) – Impact: 4, Concern: 5
There was no real extent of Foster’s injury given. In a best-case scenario, Foster, who would have likely come in and started for numerous programs, will compete for a starting job. More likely, he will be a backup who sees regular playing time and makes significant impact on special teams.
Arkansas
DT Byran Jones (foot) – Impact: 8, Concern: 1
Coach Bret Bielema said Jones could return Monday.
S Rohan Gaines (knee) – Impact: 7, Concern: 3
Of the injuries, Gaines’ is the most concerning, but only by a little. Bielema said his safety could return within a few days.
C Travis Swanson (groin) – Impact: 8, Concern: 1
Bielema said Swanson would return Monday.
FB Kiero Small (foot) – Impact: 7, Concern: 1
Bielema said Small could return Monday.
WR Keon Hatcher (undisclosed) – Impact: 2, Concern: 1
Bielema said Hatcher could return Monday.
Auburn
Star Justin Garrett (ankle) – Impact: 7, Concern: 5
Garrett, a breakout star in the spring, injured his ankle during a Saturday scrimmage and was seen leaving the facility in a walking boot. Auburn often does not reveal the extent of injuries, so the fact that there is no timetable comes as no surprise. This injury is worth monitoring.
S Demetruce McNeal (leg infection) – Impact: 6, Concern: 1
Though McNeal has missed all of August camp, DC Ellis Johnson said Sunday that he expects the starting safety to return this week.
Florida
QB Jeff Driskel (appendix) – Impact: 10, Concern: 0
Driskel missed the first week-plus of August camp after having his appendix removed, but he is back now. As long as there is no setback, he will start Week 1.
WR/KR Andre Debose (knee) – Impact: 7, Concern: 10
Debose suffered a season-ending knee injury. One of the best return specialists in the SEC, Debose is a pretty large loss.
G Jon Halapio (torn pectoral) – Impact: 7, Concern: 7
There is no current timetable for Halapio, a returning starter. This is an injury situation to monitor.
G Max Garcia (back) – Impact: 6, Concern: 5
The Maryland transfer has been cleared to start conditioning drills again but has yet to be given the green light to resume practice. For someone pushing for a starting job, this is an issue.
DT Damien Jacobs (knee) – Impact: 6, Concern: 4
Coach Will Muschamp said Jacobs’ sprained knee will probably keep him out for another week-plus.
CB Jaylen Watkins (foot) – Impact: 7, Concern: 4
A projected starter, Watkins is expected to miss more than a week with his foot ailment. At this time, Muschamp expects Watkins to return.
RB Matt Jones (viral infection) – Impact: 7, Concern: 6
The viral infection has kept Jones out for some time now. He is running again, but there is no definitive timetable for his return. This would be a bigger impact if the Gators hadn’t established such a strong stable of talent in the backfield.
LB Matt Rolin (knee) – Impact: 2, Concern: 10
Rolin’s true freshman season ended with a knee injury in a non-contact drill. He was expected to be a role player and a special teams contributor.
OL Rod Johnson (knee) – Impact: 2, Concern: 9
Johnson underwent surgery to repair a torn meniscus. He will miss 3-4 weeks and a redshirt could follow.
Georgia
G Chris Burnette (shoulder) – Impact: 8, Concern: 1
Still recovering from offseason shoulder surgery, Burnette misses practice from time to time to stay healthy. He is expected to be fine for the season opener.
RB A.J. Turman (ankle) – Impact: 2, Concern: 3
Turman suffered an ankle injury last week. He faces a bigger hurdle in trying to overcome fellow RBs Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall.
DT Chris Mayes (concussion) – Impact: 4, Concern: 7
Concussions have become a huge deal in sports today for good reason and Mayes plays a position that sees a great deal of contact. Mayes is expected to push for playing time – potentially even as a starter.
OL Greg Pyke (ankle) – Impact: 3, Concern: 2
A freshman expected to push for playing time, Pyke suffered a setback in his challenge when he sprained his ankle and missed a few days of practice.
Kentucky
DE Za’Darius Smith (ankle) – Impact: 5, Concern: 3
The junior-college transfer missed a recent practice with an ankle injury. He was in a boot, but it was believed to be a precaution. Coach Mark Stoops said the injury is “day-to-day.”
DT Donte Rumph (shoulder) – Impact: 8, Concern: 3
Rumph had offseason shoulder surgery and missed a practice with lingering soreness. Seems reasonable to think he would have played in a game. Stoops said he would have played in a game.
DT Mister Cobble (“banged up”) – Impact: 8, Concern: 1
No reason to think this is serious and, in fact, might have been just a ploy to get other players reps. Stoops said there’s “nothing major there.”
LSU
G Josh Williford (concussion) – Impact: 7, Concern: 10
Forget football for a second. Williford’s concussion could be career-threatening, which means it could carry serious ramifications going forward. A two-year starter, Williford might still have NFL hopes if his concussion issues don’t cut his career short.
T Vadal Alexander (ankle) – Impact: 7, Concern: 2
Alexander will likely play a pivotal role along the LSU offensive line this year – either starting at a tackle position or replacing Williford at guard. He has missed a couple practices with a minor ankle injury but isn’t expected to miss significant time.
DE Jermauria Rasco (shoulder) – Impact: 7, Concern: 5
The heir apparent to Sam Montgomery or Barkevious Mingo, Rasco would like to be full-tilt in practice so he can secure his spot on the starting line. Instead, he has been limited to practicing in the green non-contact jersey. He is expected to gain clearance for full contact soon, but it’s worth keeping an eye on.
WR Avery Peterson (broken ankle) – Impact: 3, Concern: 10
Peterson’s season very possibly came to an end during August practice when he reportedly broke his ankle. It is unclear how much he would have pushed for playing time as a true freshman.
DE DeSean Smith (ankle) – Impact: 3, Concern: 2
Though Smith has missed practices within the last week, the injury is not thought to be serious. It is unclear how much he might contend for playing time, though missing time certainly can’t help.
Mississippi State
TE Malcolm Johnson (undisclosed) – Impact: 7, Concern: 5
Since coach Dan Mullen declined to reveal the nature of Johnson’s injury – and rather just that he wouldn’t be back at least until school is back in session (Aug. 19) – it’s impossible to tell how concerned fans should be. Johnson has proven to be a strong pass-catcher and would be missed if he is out.
WR Fred Ross (groin) – Impact: 4, Concern: 2
The true freshman could return any day. He needs to in order to contend for playing time during his first season. Saturday Down South rated him as one of the newcomers most likely to make an immediate impact.
WR Shelby Christy (shoulder) – Impact: 2, Concern: 1
Another true freshman hoping to contend for playing time, Christy seems near a return.
TE Gus Walley (elbow) – Impact: 3, Concern: 10
Walley had Tommy John surgery and will almost certainly miss the season.
TE Rufus Warren (ankles) – Impact: 4, Concern: 2
Warren could return any day.
WR Fred Brown (broken wrist) – Impact: 6, Concern: 10
Brown, expected to be in the mix for playing time, will likely miss significant time with a broken wrist.
Missouri
S Matt White (groin) – Impact: 6, Concern: 5
White missed the Saturday scrimmage with a groin injury. He is a projected starter.
WR Wesley Leftwich (hamstring) – Impact: 2, Concern: 5
Leftwich missing Saturday’s scrimmage bodes poorly for him receiving additional playing time, meaning his injury likely isn’t a minor situation.
CB John Gibson (ankle) – Impact: 3, Concern: 5
Another player vying for playing time, Gibson needs to be on the field sooner than later. He is in contention for the nickelback position. Coach Gary Pinkel indicated before the scrimmage that Gibson’s injury might be the biggest at this stage.
WR Sheldon Gerau (ankle) – Impact: 3, Concern: 5
The Columbia Tribune’s David Morrison reported that Gerau left the scrimmage after being tackled. Morrison also reported that Gerau had a boot on and was on crutches after the injury.
Ole Miss
WR Vince Sanders (broken collarbone) – Impact: 8, Concern: 7
One of the leading pass-catchers from last year, Sanders will miss approximately 6 weeks while recovering from a broken collarbone. He could return in time for the Texas game, though that seems presumptuous at this stage.
RB Jeff Scott (ear infection) – Impact: 8, Concern: 1
Last year’s leading rusher should be fine for the start of the season.
RB Mark Dodson (thigh) – Impact: 5, Concern: 2
Dodson was sidelined with a thigh bruise. He could return any day.
G Patrick Junen (toe) – Impact: 6, Concern: 5
Junen is expected to be ready for the opener, but has missed practice time with the injury. He is the favorite to win the vacant right guard position.
CB Charles Sawyer (ankle/shoulder) – Impact: 7, Concern: 8
Coach Hugh Freeze said last week that Sawyer might not be ready for the season opener against Vanderbilt.
CB Senquez Golson (hamstring) – Impact: 6, Concern: 5
Golson could be ready for the start of the season, but the projected starter has missed a fair amount of practice time.
T Pierce Burton (back) – Impact: 8, Concern: 5
Last year, Burton was one of the primary reasons the Ole Miss line helped elevate the offense. This back issue is troublesome, but he has been able to practice off-and-on so far.
DE C.J. Johnson (broken leg) – Impact: 7, Concern: 2
Fortunately for Johnson and the Rebels, the returning starter broke his leg during spring and is expected to be ready for the start of the season. Freeze said Johnson is progressing.
DE Robert Nkemdiche (groin) – Impact: 7, Concern: 1
Freeze called Nkemdiche’s issue “minor,” so he could seemingly return to practice any day.
RB Kailo Moore (concussion) – Impact: 2, Concern: 7
With concussions, all bets are off. Moore is a talented true freshman who seemingly could make an impact.
DE Cameron Whigham – Impact: 6, Concern: 7
Whigham is another player coming back from concussion. He was at least running during the most recent session.
DE Carlos Thompson – Impact: 4, Concern: 7
Yet another concussion. Like Whigham, Thompson was seen running on Sunday.
DT Isaac Gross (groin) – Impact: 5, Concern: 8
Hugh Kellenberger of the Jackson Clarion-Ledger reported Friday that Gross was awaiting a conference call to review X-rays. Kellenberger also reported earlier that the start of the season is in doubt for Gross.
South Carolina
DE Jadeveon Clowney (shoulder) – Impact: 10, Concern: 1
Coach Steve Spurrier seems to be taking the approach that Clowney will miss practice if he has so much as an ingrown hair on his forearm. Who can blame him? No sense in risking any real injury during August. The best defensive player in college football will be ready when the lights hit on Aug. 29.
DE Chaz Sutton (foot) – Impact: 7, Concern: 4
It’s hard to be too concerned about Sutton – a projected starter – since the coaching staff made it clear it wouldn’t risk injury to defensive players during the scrimmage.
K Landon Ard (groin) – Impact: 6, Concern: 6
Even a minor groin injury for a kicker can turn into a big deal. No word on the severity of the injury, though.
DE Gerald Turner (ankle) – Impact: 4, Concern: 4
Many defensive players did not participate in Saturday’s scrimmage. Turner, a true freshman, was one of them. He likely needs all the reps he can get to see action this season.
QB Connor Mitch (ill) – Impact: 1, Concern: 1
Mitch needs all the practice and scrimmage reps he can get as a true freshman, but he is likely headed for a redshirt this season anyway.
DB Kyle Fleetwood (hamstring) – Impact: 4, Concern: 4
No word on the extent of Fleetwood’s injury other than he did not participate in the scrimmage.
Tennessee
DT Mo Couch (calf) – Impact: 7, Concern: 2
Coach Butch Jones listed Couch as “day to day” with a calf injury that held him out of practice Saturday.
DE Jacques Smith (wrist) – Impact: 6, Concern: 7
Smith seems unlikely to play in the season opener and could miss additional time. He is expected to miss 4-6 weeks.
DE Corey Vereen (knee) – Impact: 5, Concern: 8
A true freshman who had a shot at immediate playing time, Vereen will be sidelined for at least 5-6 weeks, though Jones is hopeful he could return that quickly.
NOTE: RB Tom Smith, LB Curt Maggitt, TE Justin King and S Byron Moore were all seen in green non-contact jerseys this week as well.
Texas A&M
RB Brandon Williams (undisclosed) – Impact: 7, Concern: 5
Coach Kevin Sumlin is reportedly not concerned with Williams’ injury, but the potential breakout star has been out of practice and is wearing a walking boot.
DB Kam Miles (undisclosed) – Impact: 5, Concern: 5
Coaches are being intentionally quiet about injuries, so there’s no real way to tell here. Miles seemingly has a chance to contribute immediately – especially with some suspension situations not yet spelled out.
K Taylor Bertolet (undisclosed) – Impact: 6, Concern: 5
Another undisclosed injury, this could be something or it could be nothing. You still don’t like your starting kicker to show up on an injury report.
Vanderbilt
None reported