LaNorris Sellers has been the talk of the SEC. The star QB was knocked out of last week’s 31-7 loss to Vanderbilt after a hard hit to the chin. Following that, he didn’t return, and doubts swirled all week about his status. And South Carolina HC Shane Beamer stayed upbeat, hinting that his QB might be ready. But now, with Mizzou looming in South Carolina’s SEC opener, all eyes are locked on Sellers. Will he take the field and spark the Gamecocks, or will his absence linger as the story of the season?

Well, on Wednesday, LaNorris Sellers was a question mark. By Thursday, he was probable. Then came the big news: reports from On3’s Pete Nakos and ESPN’s Chris Low said the QB was trending up after his concussion. Now it’s official. Per CBS Sports’ Matt Zenitz, Sellers is cleared and set to start. South Carolina’s signal-caller is good to go for Saturday’s showdown with No. 23 Missouri. So, the Gamecocks get their guy back just in time for the SEC fight ahead. And the most intriguing fact is that the Gamecocks can’t afford to be without him. But why?

Here’s the thing: Depth is thin behind Sellers. When he went down, veteran Luke Doty stepped in against Vanderbilt. The sixth-year senior was steady but unspectacular, 18 of 27 for 148 yards and a pick. And that won’t cut it against Missouri. Moreover, Sellers proved he can torch the Tigers a year ago, piling up 353 yards and five TD passes. Following that, the Gamecocks pulled off a 34-30 win at Williams-Brice Stadium. As of now, South Carolina might need that same magic again, especially with Mizzou’s offense rolling early this season. But how did it all unfold last week?

Before exiting, LaNorris Sellers was sharp, hitting 6 of 7 passes for 94 yards against Vandy. But his night ended on a crushing blow from LB Langston Patterson, who was later ejected for targeting. Following that, with Sellers sidelined, Luke Doty stepped in and finished, but the Gamecocks fell flat in a 31-7 loss. Here, Shane Beamer didn’t hide his frustration with how the targeting call was handled.

“I asked him as soon as it happened if [they were] looking at it for targeting,” mentioned Beamer at halftime. “For our QB to be lying there on the ground like that, he probably got hit in the head. And then, for whatever reason, it took them a while to buzz down. I don’t know what’s going on in Birmingham or wherever they look at it, but I thought it was pretty obvious.” So, what’s the status of the star QB now?

Look, after three outings, Sellers is 64% on his throws for 431 yards, two TDs, and one pick against Vanderbilt. And his running game has been quiet, totaling just 45 yards. But that’s by design, or at least, not by design, according to Shane Beamer. “I’ve never said, and no one in this building has ever said, we need to run the QB less,” stated Beamer. “We’re calling the same God dang plays we called last year. Some are reads where LaNorris can hand it off or keep it. Some are RPOs. And some are designed runs. We’re running plenty.” Now, while LaNorris Sellers’ injury update is good news, the team still faces uncertainty with multiple starters.

There’s more to worry about South Carolina than LaNorris Sellers

The winning meter might not be at neutral in the upcoming Gamecocks-Tigers game. Missouri is sharp and confident, undefeated at 3-0 and rested from a bye. Meanwhile, South Carolina is battered and bruised, limping into Columbia. Following that, injuries are piling up: DB Judge Collier and TE Michael Smith are out, while WR Mazeo Bennett Jr and DB DQ Smith are listed as probable. Now, with so many key players in question, the Gamecocks’ offense faces a steep climb just to find its rhythm. And the reason is very simple.

Sellers may be back, but questions linger across the roster. South Carolina is still missing key starters, and that uncertainty casts a shadow over the offense. Although Shane Beamer insists the team isn’t holding anyone back, saying decisions come from reads, not restrictions. Still, on game day, the gaps are clear: the Gamecocks won’t have their full firepower against a team like Missouri. So how’s the No. 23 team shaping up?

Missouri is on fire. Since 2023, the Tigers have gone 24-5, and this season they’ve steamrolled opponents 155-47 through three games. Because QB Beau Pribula is a nightmare for defenses: a 76% completion rate. Given that he’s averaging nearly nine yards per attempt, slicing through defenses with speed and precision. Now, for South Carolina, it’s a daunting climb: a battered roster, key injuries still in play, and a Missouri squad firing on all cylinders.