South Carolina’s preparations for the 2026 college football season have taken another difficult turn, with two important players reportedly expected to miss time because of injuries.
The Gamecocks have already dealt with several injury concerns during the offseason, and the latest update adds even more uncertainty to a roster that was hoping to enter the new campaign at full strength. According to a report from On3’s Chris Low, star defensive end Dylan Stewart and offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak are not expected to be available when South Carolina begins the 2026 season.
The development is particularly concerning because both players were expected to play significant roles for head coach Shane Beamer. Stewart is one of the most talented defensive players on the roster, while Peak arrived through the transfer portal with expectations of becoming an important piece of the offensive line.
For South Carolina, the news represents another challenge to overcome before the regular season gets underway.
Dylan Stewart’s Absence Could Be a Major Blow
Stewart’s potential absence is arguably the biggest concern for the Gamecocks.
The talented pass rusher has quickly established himself as one of the most dangerous edge defenders in college football. During his first two seasons in Columbia, Stewart accumulated 22.5 tackles for loss, 11 sacks and six forced fumbles.
Those numbers highlight the type of impact he has been able to make since arriving at South Carolina. His ability to pressure opposing quarterbacks, disrupt plays in the backfield and create turnovers has made him a centerpiece of the Gamecocks’ defense.
When healthy, Stewart is widely regarded as one of the nation’s premier pass rushers. Losing that kind of player, even temporarily, could force South Carolina to make significant adjustments along its defensive front.
The injury is reportedly related to a back problem that has been bothering Stewart since the 2025 regular season. While South Carolina will hope that continued recovery eventually allows him to return, the latest report suggests that the Gamecocks should prepare to begin the season without their star defensive weapon.
His absence could put additional pressure on the rest of the defensive line to generate quarterback pressure. South Carolina will need other players to step forward and help replace Stewart’s production until he is ready to return.
Jacarrius Peak Also Facing Injury Concerns
The situation involving Peak is another significant setback for South Carolina.
Peak was one of the most notable transfer portal additions made by an SEC program during the offseason. He joined the Gamecocks after spending the previous three seasons at NC State, where he established himself as a capable offensive lineman.
South Carolina brought him in with the expectation that he could compete for, and ultimately occupy, a starting offensive tackle position.
However, Peak suffered a knee injury in February and was unable to participate in spring practice. That early setback already limited his opportunity to become fully integrated into the Gamecocks’ offensive system during the offseason.
Despite that, South Carolina remained hopeful that Peak would eventually be able to return during the fall. The latest report, however, indicates that his availability for the beginning of the campaign remains uncertain.
His potential absence could create another issue for an offensive line that needs consistency heading into a demanding SEC schedule.
Injuries Continue to Pile Up
Stewart and Peak are not the only South Carolina players dealing with significant injuries.
The Gamecocks recently announced that wide receivers Jayden Gibson and Jayden Sellers would miss the entire 2026 season. Both players were expected to provide depth and production in the receiving corps, making their season-ending injuries another difficult blow for Beamer’s team.
The growing injury list means South Carolina will have to rely heavily on its available players while waiting for injured contributors to recover.
Depth could become especially important early in the season. College football teams often experience injuries throughout a long campaign, but losing multiple projected contributors before the season even begins can put additional pressure on younger players and newcomers.
For South Carolina, developing that depth will be critical.
A Favorable Early Schedule Could Help
There is at least one positive development for the Gamecocks: the opening portion of their 2026 schedule is relatively manageable.
South Carolina is scheduled to begin the season against Kent State before facing Towson in Week 2. The Gamecocks will then host Mississippi State in their first SEC matchup.
The first two games could provide South Carolina with an opportunity to navigate its injury situation without immediately facing the toughest competition on its schedule.
If Stewart and Peak are unavailable, the coaching staff can use those early games to evaluate replacements and determine which players are best prepared to take on larger responsibilities.
The nonconference games could also give some of the injured players additional time to continue their rehabilitation before the schedule becomes more demanding.
However, the eventual return of key players could become increasingly important once SEC play begins.
Beamer Faces Another Test
For Shane Beamer, managing the latest injury problems will be another test of his ability to keep the team competitive.
South Carolina entered the offseason hoping to build a roster capable of competing in a challenging SEC environment. The transfer portal helped the Gamecocks add talent, including Peak, but injuries have now complicated some of those plans.
The coaching staff will need to identify alternatives quickly.
On defense, replacing Stewart’s production will be particularly difficult. His ability to pressure quarterbacks cannot simply be replicated by one player. Instead, South Carolina may need to use multiple defensive linemen and edge rushers to collectively fill the void.
The offense faces a similar challenge with Peak. If he cannot return as expected, the Gamecocks will have to determine which offensive tackle combination gives them the best chance to protect the quarterback and establish a reliable running game.
The Bigger Picture
Although the injury news is undoubtedly disappointing, it does not necessarily mean South Carolina’s season is destined to go off course.
College football teams routinely deal with injuries, and the depth of a roster often determines how successfully a team can overcome them. South Carolina now has an opportunity to see whether its offseason additions and developing players can provide the necessary support.
The early schedule could also work in the Gamecocks’ favor.
Games against Kent State and Towson give South Carolina a chance to build momentum while potentially buying more recovery time for injured players. By the time Mississippi State arrives, the coaching staff may have a clearer picture of which injured players can return and which replacements are ready to contribute.
For now, though, the uncertainty surrounding Stewart and Peak remains a major storyline.
Stewart’s production and reputation make him one of the most important players on the entire roster, while Peak was expected to strengthen an offensive line that needs reliable protection. Losing both at the start of the season would force South Carolina to adjust on both sides of the football.
The Gamecocks have already lost Gibson and Sellers for the season, adding to the growing list of unavailable players. With the 2026 campaign approaching, South Carolina will be hoping that its remaining players can stay healthy and that those dealing with injuries can make successful recoveries.
The season opener will provide the first real indication of how effectively the Gamecocks can cope with the setbacks.
Until then, Beamer and his staff must prepare for the possibility that two of their most important players will not be available when South Carolina takes the field.
For a team with ambitions in the SEC, overcoming those challenges could become one of the defining stories of its 2026 season.
