Jacarrius Peak was back on the practice field Sunday, walking barefoot with a brace on his left knee and completing rehab work during media-access periods.
The visible progress from Peak matters for the offensive line rotation and starter projections as South Carolina adjusts to multiple injuries; the original reporting can be found at The State.
Key Takeaways
- Jacarrius Peak completed one lap without resistance and another while holding a medicine ball during the media-viewed portions of practice.
- Dylan Stewart watched practice on the sidelines and did not participate in on-field work.
- Wide receivers Jayden Sellers and Jayden Gibson were absent and will miss the 2026 season with season-ending lower-leg injuries sustained at practice.
- Reporters observed six practice periods and a portion of the field was closed while the staff worked on punts and punt return.
Jacarrius Peak practice details
Peak’s return to visible on-field activity was deliberate and limited, the type of rehab session that signals incremental progress rather than clearance for contact.
During the media-viewed stretches he walked the field barefoot with strength and conditioning coach Chip Morton and wore a brace on his left knee, completing one lap without resistance and a second lap while holding a medicine ball on his shoulder.
Those reps provide positive, observable markers for the left tackle’s timeline while still leaving the exact date for full participation unclear.
Other limited players and snaps
Dylan Stewart remained an onlooker during Sunday’s practice and did not take part in drills observable to reporters.
Running back Matt Fuller practiced in pads but wore a blue non-contact jersey and had his left hand heavily wrapped while fully participating in the permitted segments.
Offensive lineman Adeamola Ajidahun did not participate in individual O-line drills; he wore a light brace on his left knee and watched reps closely without going through them.
Special teams and closed periods
Reporters were allowed to observe and photograph six periods of practice, but a section of the field was closed to photo and video during the second period while the staff worked on punts and punt returns.
Players seen receiving punts during the open segments included freshman Sequel Patterson, sophomore Donovan Murph, redshirt junior Vicari Swain and redshirt junior Charly Mullaly, indicating who is getting early reps in the return game.
Roster status comparison table
| Player | Practice status | Injury/observation notes | Role impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jacarrius Peak | On-field limited work | Barefoot with left-knee brace; completed laps including one with a medicine ball | Progressing in rehab; still not cleared for full participation |
| Dylan Stewart | Did not participate | Observed on the sideline as an onlooker | Availability for contact and snaps remains uncertain |
| Jayden Sellers | Absent | Season-ending lower-leg injury sustained in practice | Will miss 2026 season, affecting receiver depth |
| Jayden Gibson | Absent | Season-ending lower-leg injury sustained in practice | Will miss 2026 season, creating immediate depth needs |
| Matt Fuller | Practicing in pads; limited-contact jersey | Left hand heavily wrapped but participating in drills | Expected starter-level reps while monitored |
| Neff Giwa | Participating in O-line drills | 6-foot-7, 305-pound freshman learning position; coached repeatedly on footwork | Developmental project with coaching attention |
| Adeamola Ajidahun | Not doing individual drills | Wore a light left-knee brace and watched reps closely | Short-term availability limited for individual work |
SEC depth and CFP implications
Two season-ending receiver losses and multiple players on limited status compress depth in a conference where depth across skill positions matters for both weekly lineups and late-season runs.
Special teams reps during the closed period — with Patterson, Murph, Swain and Mullaly getting punt work — suggest the staff has contingency plans for return roles while injuries at receiver force younger players into expanded responsibilities.
For the Gamecocks, the short-term focus will be on shoring up rotations and evaluating which reserves can step into consistent reps; recruiting urgency for perimeter depth becomes a practical concern as the staff assesses the remainder of camp.
Timelines for when Peak and Stewart will return to full participation remain unclear, which keeps the depth chart fluid as South Carolina moves closer to the regular season.
According to local reports, this update is based on the on-field observations and reporting summarized above.
