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South Carolina football injury report: Marshawn Lloyd out, did not travel to Vanderbilt

COLUMBIA — South Carolina football will be without its best offensive weapon against Vanderbilt. Star running back Marshawn Lloyd was ruled out with a quad contusion he suffered against Missouri and did not travel with the team.

Lloyd was questionable as of Thursday because of the severe bruise on his thigh despite the running back's optimism that he would be able to play earlier in the week. He is the team's leading scorer with 11 touchdowns, 556 rushing yards and 173 rushing yards. Lloyd recorded 30 of the team's 32 rushing yards in a loss to Missouri and has logged two games of 100-plus rushing yards. Sophomore Juju McDowell is expected to start in Lloyd's place alongside Wake Forest transfer Christian Beal-Smith.

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The Gamecocks (5-3, 2-3 SEC) face Vanderbilt (3-5, 0-4) in Nashville on Saturday (7:30 p.m. SEC Network) looking for their 15th consecutive win over the Commodores. They lead the all-time series 27-4. Vanderbilt has not won an SEC game since 2019, though it came close against South Carolina last year in a one-point loss.

South Carolina is also aiming to reach the six-win bowl eligibility threshold with a victory over Vanderbilt after losing 23-10 against Missouri last week. The Gamecocks travel to Gainesville to face Florida next week, which will likely be their last chance to get a win before ending the season against No. 1 Tennessee and No. 4 Clemson.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina football: Marshawn Lloyd out with injury vs. Vanderbilt