Spurrier: QB Shaw Will Start Saturday

South Carolina QBConnor Shaw (14) passes from the end zone against the Vanderbilt Commodores in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-USA TODAY Sports

It didn’t take South Carolina QB Connor Shaw long to recover from a shoulder injury that was initially slated to keep him out 2-3 weeks.

Wednesday, less than one week after Shaw sustained the injury, coach Steve Spurrier said he expects the senior to start Saturday when the Gamecocks (3-1, 1-1) host Kentucky (1-3, 0-1).

Shaw’s decision to push it to try to return is admirable and obviously Spurrier thinks he’s “good to go.”

However, there is precedent for Shaw returning from injury too soon and re-aggravating his ailment – as he did last year when coming back from a cracked shoulder blade and reinjuring himself against UAB.

The presence of proven QB2 Dylan Thompson makes the move even more questionable. Thompson has shown he can fill in for Shaw and help South Carolina win big games – which Saturday probably is not.

Last year, Thompson led the Gamecocks to a rivalry win at Clemson during the regular-season finale. He also threw the game-winning touchdown in the Outback Bowl to beat Michigan.