South Carolina TE Jerell Adams (hamstring) now "doubtful" to play against North Carolina

One of the South Carolina Gamecocks' veteran players may be on the shelf a couple of nights from now. Jerell Adams hasn't practiced over the past few days with a strained hamstring. Now, it looks like the senior tight end won't start on Thursday. In his post-practice press conference on Monday, Steve Spurrier, who said that the injury wasn't likely to hold Adams out, said that Adams is now "doubtful" to play against the North Carolina Tar Heels.

If Adams can't go, second-string freshman Hayden Hurst will get the call. For a team counting on Adams' experience at the TE spot, it's a little unsettling to have a true freshman with no collegiate experience being forced into action just three days before kickoff. On top of that, Hurst is a walk-on, even more intriguing. Redshirt freshman Kevin Crosby (second behind Adams on the depth chart in the preseason) is the only scholarship tight end besides Adams and should get some time on the field.

Other notes from practice:

--Jonathan Walton, the starting WILL linebacker, is being bothered by a back injury. Bryson Allen-Williams, who appeared in twelve games last year and started two, is behind him on the chart and will go if Walton's not ready. Cody Waldrop (right knee) should be full-go on Thursday, but if he isn't, that leaves a hole at backup center behind Alan Knott.