Starting USC DB still out, freshman lost for season

South Carolina’s defensive backfield depth, where the Gamecocks can’t afford much attrition, suffered a setback this week.

Safety Jaylin Dickerson, a true freshman early enrollee who impressed the coaching staff during spring practice, will undergo season-ending shoulder surgery to repair nerve damage, coach Will Muschamp announced Saturday.

“Hurt for Jaylin,” Muschamp said after his team finished a two-plus hour scrimmage. “He had a wonderful spring and was going to be a contributor to our team this year. It hurts us, especially at a place where we need some depth and a good football player, and that’s what he is.”

Dickerson is expected to be cleared for full contact in time for spring practice.

“The nerve specialist feels like (surgery) is the way to go,” Muschamp said.

Muschamp also updated the team’s other injuries. Junior defensive back Steven Montac will be in a walking boot for 10 days because of a stress fracture in his foot but isn’t expected to need surgery. Wide receiver Randrecous Davis remains sidelined with a “soft tissue injury.” Defensive back Chris Smith is out with an undisclosed injury and could miss the season.

Senior safety D.J. Smith missed the scrimmage because of the death of his grandfather. Defensive end Shameik Blackshear has returned to practice after what defensive line coach Lance Thompson said was a concussion.

This story was originally published August 12, 2017 at 6:25 PM with the headline "Starting USC DB still out, freshman lost for season."