Shane Beamer updates status of injured Rocket Sanders

Head coach Shane Beamer reported starting running back Rocket Sanders will not miss significant time after he injured his left ankle on the second drive of Saturday's night game against Akron.

"Rocket's got a little bit of an ankle (injury)," Shane Beamer said. "It's nothing long-term, we don't think, at all."

After Sanders blocked on an outside run from JuJu McDowell , a Zips defender rolled up Sanders while attempting to tackle the ball carrier.

The Arkansas transfer limped off the field and went into the medical tent, where the training staff examined him and treated the injury with ice. Prior to the end of the second quarter, he walked into the locker room with a boot on his foot.

After halftime, Sanders returned to the home sideline, only now he was out of uniform and wearing street clothes.

It's a tough blow for the Gamecocks after Sanders had started to get it going. He was coming off a game in which he rushed for 143 yards against LSU last weekend.

Previously, Sanders ran for 1,443 yards in the 2022 season with the Razorbacks, leading the SEC in yards from scrimmage.

But in 2023, the running back's shoulder injuries limited him to just six games and 62 attempts on the ground.

With Sanders out, other running backs got into the action on Saturday. Juju McDowell, Oscar Adaway III, and Jawarn Howell all recorded at least one carry in the first half, as did Nyck Harbor.

Without a workhorse like Sanders, a tandem group in the backfield would be expected once the Gamecocks return to the field.

LaNorris Sellers will return next game after his ankle injury, with Jared Brown also expected to return. Monkell Goodwine was injured in action tonight, but is not expected to miss a significant chunk of time.

South Carolina will head into a bye week before returning to action against No. 5 Ole Miss on Saturday, Oct. 5.