South Carolina starting defender to miss 4 to 6 weeks
Israel Mukuamu and Sherrod Greene each play vital roles at somewhat thin positions in the South Carolina football team’s defense.
Mukuamu was moving around well in practice Tuesday, but Greene will be out for at least a month.
USC coach Will Muschamp said Greene has a subluxed and fractured hip and will miss the next four to six weeks.
“There’s no surgery required,” Muschamp said. “Unusual injury. They’re going to take a look at it.
“Hopefully he’ll be back within that time.”
Mukuamu missed the second half of last Saturday’s loss to Tennessee when his groin tightened up
The absence of Greene means some shifting around. Without him, Damani Staley steps in and leaves the only backup linebackers as either options with health questions, a freshman or a former walk-on. Linebacker Jahmar Brown was moving around well in practice this week after missing last week as a game time decision.
“(Freshman) Mo Kaba will be (Staley’s) backup,” Muschamp said. “Damani can play both of those spots. Spencer Eason-Riddle can play the Mike as well.
“And Jahmar Brown as well, he can play the Will or Dime.”
Mukuamu is day-to-day, Muschamp said. If he were to miss time, the Gamecocks would be down one of the four most reliable guys at a spot where the team often plays four and sometimes five players.
Other injury notes:
▪ Freshman defensive lineman Alex Huntley (ankle) is out this week.
▪ Linebacker Rosendo Louis remains out after surgery on his quadriceps. The team is targeting mid-October for his return.
South Carolina (0-1) at No. 3 Florida (1-0)
When: Noon Saturday
Where: Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, Florida
TV: ESPN
Line: Florida by 21.5
This story was originally published September 29, 2020 at 12:36 PM with the headline "South Carolina starting defender to miss 4 to 6 weeks."
