South Carolina opened preseason camp without Jacarrius Peak on the field, and there still isn’t a clear answer on when the projected starting left tackle might get back.
Peak, the transfer from N.C. State, was present at the Gamecocks’ Media Day and sat at the table without crutches or knee braces, which at least offered one encouraging sign. But when asked if he would be on the field Friday, he answered with a headshake “no.”
He also did not take part in the open-to-media portions of practice Friday or Saturday, and he was not spotted on the sideline either. That uncertainty has lingered even as Shane Beamer continues to provide updates, though none have included a timeline. Beamer’s latest word on Thursday was: “They got good checkups, or updates, from doctors at their appointments last week.”
Peak said the setback has forced him into a different perspective.
“God made a situation where I had to sit back and look at life a little differently. That’s what I’m doing,” Peak said. “God got all the controls, so all I can do is take it one day at a time.”
The injury happened in January during a team-sanctioned pickup basketball event, something South Carolina holds every year. Peak was healthy before that, and the way it unfolded fit the kind of bad break that can happen anywhere, even “you can get hurt stepping off a curb,” as the story of the injury suggested.
Rather than sitting idle, Peak has spent the time rehabbing and digging into Kendal Briles’ offense.
“As much as I need to, and when I want, I can. I can study a lot,” Peak said.
“It’s a good ol’ fun offense. We’re going to have fun and rock out this year.”
For South Carolina, the hope is still the same: that Peak ends up as a centerpiece, not just another name waiting on the sideline.
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