Shane Beamer gives final update on Gamecocks QB LaNorris Sellers for Akron game

Shane Beamer isn’t ready to rule out LaNorris Sellers for Saturday’s game against Akron.

Beamer said Thursday on his weekly radio call-in show that coaches still aren’t certain whether Sellers will start the game or play against the Zips (7:30 p.m., ESPNU). Sellers injured his ankle in the first half of last week’s game against LSU. He came back in for one series in the second half, but he was limited and didn’t play the rest of the game.

“LaNorris has done a little bit more in practice each day this week,” Beamer said. “He did more on Tuesday than what he did on Sunday. He did more on Wednesday than Tuesday and did more today than he did yesterday. We will see how he is on Saturday but he is progressing nicely.”

Sellers said on Tuesday during his meeting with the media that his ankle “flattened” when he was tackled by an LSU player while getting sacked.

Two sources told The State that Sellers’ ankle was in a cast early in the week. On Wednesday, though, he was out of the cast at practice and went through a handful of drop-backs on the side with his helmet on before changing into street clothes, one source said. The cast was off but Sellers’ ankle was heavily taped.

Beamer said on the radio show that if usually he wants a player to be able to do something Tuesday and Wednesday before they feel confident about putting them out there on Saturday.

If Sellers can’t go, Robby Ashford will get the start. Ashford came in for Sellers last week.

Ashford is in his first season with the Gamecocks after stops at Oregon and Auburn. He didn’t play in two seasons with the Ducks before heading to the Southeastern Conference.

Ashford made nine starts at Auburn in 2022 but was a backup last year, appearing in 10 games.

Last week against LSU, Ashford was 2 of 4 passing for 42 yards and carried the ball 11 times for 11 yards. He played a couple of series against Kentucky the week before after Sellers left the game with a hip injury.

In two-plus years, Ashford has thrown for 1,807 yards, rushed for 964 yards and has 21 total touchdowns.

Beamer said receiver Jared Brown and linebacker Bangally Kamara are in the same situation as Sellers and will know closer to gametime whether they will play.

“The two that we’re most concerned about would be Bengally Kamara and Jared Brown, you know, they’re kind of in the same boat as LaNorris,” Beamer said. “They both did a little bit more this week each day.:

Beamer said receiver Gage Larvadain and Trovon Baugh, who both missed last week’s game are both “a week healthier.”

Safety Nick Emmanwori and defensive lineman TJ Sanders, who left LSU game with injury, are both fine according to Beamer.