Dylan Stewart has apologized for the behavior that led to his suspension, but South Carolina still isn’t saying when the standout edge rusher might be back.
Shane Beamer said during his Sunday teleconference that Stewart apologized to both him and the team after the incident against Alabama that triggered the punishment. Stewart was suspended after what Beamer described as selfish actions, including punching a Crimson Tide tight end, refusing to come out of the game, and pushing a teammate.
Even with the apology, the Gamecocks coach isn’t ready to move on from the suspension just yet.
“No update,” Beamer said of Stewart’s status. “I met with Dylan pretty much every day last week and visited with Dylan today. Will keep those conversations between us, but no update right now.”
Beamer was later asked directly whether Stewart could return to practice this week and play Saturday afternoon against Florida. His answer pointed back to the same message: there’s nothing new to report.
Stewart’s absence has already been felt. He missed Saturday’s 35-34 overtime loss to Kentucky because of the indefinite suspension Beamer handed down after the Alabama game, along with an SEC-imposed suspension.
The junior also missed the first two games of the season while working back from a lingering back injury from last season. In the two games he has played this year, against Mississippi State and Alabama, Stewart was on the field for 43 total snaps and finished with one tackle.
South Carolina held up reasonably well without him against Kentucky, producing seven tackles for loss and three sacks.
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