South Carolina running back Mike Davis appears to be questionable for the Gamecocks' Aug. 28 opener against Texas A&M.
"Mike Davis has been hurt; he hasn't practiced all week," coach Steve Spurrier told the Sportstalk radio network after Wednesday's practice, as per The State newspaper of Columbia. "I don't know if he'd even be able to start or not."
Davis missed practice Wednesday with what he described as a rib injury, and he told The State on Tuesday night that it wasn't anything serious. Running backs coach Everette Sands also told the newspaper it wasn't anything to worry about.
Spurrier, though, said different: "He hasn't practiced much, so we'll see how much he's ready to play for the game."
Davis seemingly laughed off the idea that he wouldn't play.
Davis rushed for 1,183 yards and 11 TDs last season, and will be South Carolina's offensive focal point this season. If he doesn't play in the opener, or is limited, the top backup is Brandon Wilds, who ran for 223 yards and three touchdowns last season. Removing Davis from the mix totally for the opener would make things interesting. A&M's defense is expected to be mediocre, but Davis' absence would mean the Gamecocks would have no proven playmakers against the Aggies. He also is South Carolina's leading returning receiver.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.