South Carolina LB Larenz Bryant out 3-4 weeks (hamstring); RB Rico Dowdle out 2-3 weeks (groin)

The Gamecocks suffered another blow to their linebacker corps as Larenz Bryant will miss three to four weeks with a pulled hamstring, per South Carolina coach Will Muschamp at today’s media luncheon. That means that he will be out for at least the opening game against Vanderbilt but hopefully back for September 10’s matchup against Mississippi State.

Bryant, who played in 10 games last year (starting one), is expected to be a big part of the Gamecocks’ LB rotation in 2016 as he is listed as co-starter at the WILL alongside T.J. Holloman on the two-deep depth chart. Fortunately the injury isn’t long term, but with Skai Moore lost for the entire season, the team can ill afford to see another LB go down.

The team will also be without Rico Dowdle for 2-3 weeks (groin). The freshman will likely be a contributor to the run game in some form or fashion in 2016 and might be back for the Vandy game depending on how things progress.

Muschamp also updated the conditions of a trio of receivers - freshmen Dreak Davis and Bryan Edwards and junior Deebo Samuel. The three had been held out due to more minor hamstring issues, but should be ready to go for the rest of camp.