Quay'Sheed Scott tracking to return soon, Beamer says

Beamer gave the injury report on his Thursday night call-in show, and the news on the nickelback was better than the Gamecocks first expected.

David Cloninger

@DCPandC

Shane Beamer on the injury report during his call-in show: Carter Miller expected to be available Saturday. Q Scott the one they're most concerned about, but he'll be back sooner rather than later. Initial thoughts it would be long-term, but he's tracking to be back soon (doubtful for Sat). Walker/Collier/GBD will all play.

The important part is the swing in tone. Early on the fear was that this would be a long-term injury. Now Beamer is talking about Scott like a guy who will be back in weeks, not months. He is still doubtful for Saturday, so don't expect him on the field vs. Tennessee, but sooner rather than later beats a season-ending diagnosis every day of the week.

Some background on why people were worried. Scott left the Oct. 3 game against Kentucky and did not return, then went to the hospital that night for testing. Before he got hurt he had 4 solo tackles and a tackle for loss in that game. Beamer never said publicly what the injury is, and earlier this week he called it the most long-term of the Gamecocks' injuries.

On the radio show Beamer sounded a little more hopeful than doubtful. He said he hopes Scott is ready for Saturday, and the takeaway is the same either way: Scott is on his way back.

Lou Bezjak

@LouatTheState

Shane Beamer on his radio show feels confident in Carter Miller playing Saturday. Quaysheed Scott "hope he is ready for Saturday, will be available sooner rather than later." #Gamecocks

The rest of the report is all good news. Beamer feels confident Carter Miller plays Saturday, and Walker, Collier and GBD will all play. That lines up with what he said Tuesday, when he told reporters everyone who missed the Florida game was expected back for Tennessee and Scott was the only question mark.

Getting healthy now matters because of who's coming to town. Tennessee is 6-1 and ranked 11th heading into Williams-Brice, and Beamer is already begging the crowd to be a weapon. A nearly full roster gives South Carolina a real shot at a top-15 win.

What to watch next: the SEC availability report before kickoff, which will show whether doubtful turns into out for Scott. If he sits Saturday, the secondary has to hold up one more week without him. The bigger story is that the long-term scare looks like it's over.