South Carolina’s pro players set for NFL season to begin

The largely meaningless NFL preseason is finally over, and teams have whittled their rosters down to the required 53-man limit. Several Gamecocks were in the mix, so here’s a quick rundown of how the dust settled:

ON THE ROSTER (NO SURPRISES HERE)

WR Alshon Jeffery (Eagles)

DB Stephon Gilmore (Patriots)

DE Melvin Ingram (Chargers)

DE/LB Jadeveon Clowney (Texans)

DB Captain Munnerlyn (Panthers)

DB Darian Stewart (Broncos)

DB D.J. Swearinger (Redskins)

TE Jared Cook (Raiders)

FB Patrick DiMarco (Bills)

DB Johnathan Joseph (Texans)

K Ryan Succop (Titans)

OL Brandon Shell (Jets)

OL A.J. Cann (Jaguars)

OL T.J. Johnson (Bengals)

OL Corey Robinson (Lions)

ON THE ROSTER (HE MADE IT!)

Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

WR Bruce Ellington (Texans): It was a whirlwind of a preseason for Ellington. After the 49ers waived him because of injury concerns and he failed a Jets physical, Houston stepped in to give him a chance. Ellington rewarded the Texans with eight catches for 122 yards in two preseason games, completing a turnaround from the fringes of the NFL.

WR Pharoh Cooper (Rams): I had Cooper in the “probably safe” category, but the Rams’ depth at WR was a bit of a concern. Fortunately, Cooper helped his case by hauling in a team-best five catches for 70 yards and returning a couple kickoffs for Los Angeles in the preseason finale.

WR Damiere Byrd (Panthers): After bouncing around on the Panthers’ practice squad for a couple years, hard work has finally paid off for Byrd. He shone for Carolina with three receiving touchdowns in the preseason.

TE Jerell Adams (Giants): Adams was in a similar spot as Cooper — probably safe, but dealing with a sudden logjam at his position. Fortunately, the Giants decided he was worth keeping.

RELEASED

DE Devin Taylor: Taylor was picked up in the fall by the New York Giants after getting waived by Detroit, which may be in the market for his services again.

QB Connor Shaw: After suffering a hamstring injury in the final preseason game, the legendary Gamecocks quarterback was waived by the Bears. A practice squad seems his most likely destination.

RB Mike Davis: Davis didn’t make the cut with the Seahawks, but did land on their practice squad.

DB Isaiah Johnson: Johnson will stick with the Buccaneers for a second stint on their practice squad.

RB Brandon Wilds: Wilds was waived/injured by the Browns after suffering a shoulder injury that kept him out of the preseason finale.