South Carolina's bye week gives injured Gamecocks time to heal before Tennessee

South Carolina gets a week off at a good time. Coach Shane Beamer said Sunday that he expects almost every player who missed Saturday's win at Florida, or got hurt during it, to be ready when Tennessee comes to Columbia on Oct. 24. Nickelback Quay'Sheed Scott is the one exception he named.

On3's Gamecock Central reported that Scott, defensive tackle Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy, edge rusher Julian Walker and center Carter Miller all sat out the game in Gainesville. Cornerback Judge Collier left early and did not come back. South Carolina won anyway, and On3's other coverage described the win as a blowout. Still, it was a lot of starters to be missing in an SEC road game.

Speaking on his Sunday teleconference, Beamer said every player who missed the game or left it is expected back against Tennessee. He made one exception. "The only one that we would be most concerned about, and I don't know about his availability for Tennessee, is QuaySheed Scott," Beamer said, according to On3. Scott will have tests this week to give the staff a clearer picture. Beamer said everyone else is "trending" toward being available.

This isn't the first time Beamer has flagged Scott. On his call-in show last Thursday, he said Scott's injury looked like the most serious of the group. He also said none of the injuries were expected to be long-term and that he hoped Scott would not be out long. Beamer praised Scott's recent play as fast and physical. Losing him would leave a hole in the nickel spot against an SEC passing game.

Beamer also pointed to how much the first six weeks have taken out of the team, physically and emotionally. The open date gives the Gamecocks a chance to recover after their best result of the season, and they should have most of their lineup back for a key home game. The South Carolina offensive line in particular could use Miller back at center. Brownlow-Dindy and Walker would restore depth up front on defense.

The schedule this week is lighter than usual. On3 reported there will be no Tuesday press conference. Men's basketball coach Lamont Paris will host Beamer's call-in show Thursday. Beamer's next media session is the Tuesday of Tennessee week, and the first SEC availability report comes out that Wednesday. That report should be the first official word on Scott.

Tennessee has a tougher week ahead before it gets to Columbia. The Volunteers came out of their Week 6 game at Arkansas and now host Alabama on Oct. 17. Alabama is favored at -245 on Novig, one of the venues listing the game. BetMGM has the Crimson Tide at -250. The spread has Tennessee as a 6.5-point home underdog, and the total is 53.5. Full prices are on the Alabama at Tennessee odds page.

That means the Volunteers will come to South Carolina a week after a physical game against Alabama. The Gamecocks will have had two weeks to rest. How much that matters could depend on whether Scott is cleared.