The temptation to bench LaNorris Sellers for Saturday night against Arkansas is strong, but the move would be a mistake if he can go. South Carolina coach Shane Beamer told reporters on Sunday that the team expects their star quarterback to play despite the ankle injury. Beamer stated, “We fully expect him to play,” after Sellers completed medical tests that day, according to a report. The Gamecocks need their Heisman Trophy candidate on the field to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Sellers showed his toughness by limping to a 41-yard touchdown in the win over Texas A&M on Saturday. He hurt his ankle in the second quarter but returned to finish the game. While he did not look like his usual self during the second half, the coaching staff designed plays to protect him. Beamer noted, “We feel good about his availability this weekend,” regarding the upcoming matchup. The only real concern is his pain tolerance and the swelling in that ankle, not a structural failure.
The Trap Game Warning
Pretty much the entire season has been dreadful for Arkansas, with just one SEC win. This makes the game a trap for the Gamecocks, especially with a night game in the SEC always scary for fans who have followed the program for decades. A loss to the Razorbacks would end all talk about a College Football Playoff spot and a second Heisman Trophy winner for the school. The upcoming showdown against Georgia in two weeks will hold no significance on the national stage if the team loses this weekend.
Resting Sellers only makes sense if the injury is a high ankle sprain that could take weeks to heal. Beamer did not confirm it is that type of injury, though he acknowledged the swelling needs to go down. If the medical staff clears him, sitting him on the sideline is a risk the team cannot afford. The team should only consider resting him if they build a sizeable lead in the second half to avoid further injury.
Heisman Stakes and Final Games
Winning the last three games puts the Gamecocks in the College Football Playoff and secures a trip to New York for Sellers. Fans on social media think resting him is in the best interest of the team, but that logic fails if the opponent is weak. The priority is winning now, not protecting the quarterback for a future game that might not happen.
Although Sellers skipped practice on Sunday evening and the Gamecocks do not train on Mondays, the coach remains confident. Beamer said, “Right now, it’s nothing that concerns us aside from his pain tolerance and getting some of the swelling down in that ankle.” The team will know more after the final medical review before the game.
