South Carolina WR Deebo Samuel officially out for year, will return in 2018

Sam Cooper
·College football writer
South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel films his teammates during warm-ups before the start of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated Vanderbilt 34-27. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
South Carolina wide receiver Deebo Samuel films his teammates during warm-ups before the start of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 28, 2017, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina defeated Vanderbilt 34-27. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

Even after suffering a broken leg in Week 3, South Carolina wideout Deebo Samuel hoped he would return to the field before the end of the season.

It won’t happen.

Gamecocks coach Will Muschamp said Sunday that Muschamp suffered a separate injury — a sprained foot — while rehabbing the leg. As a result, Samuel has officially been ruled out for the remainder of the 2017 season.

Samuel, a junior, could have chosen to test the NFL Draft waters, but instead announced Sunday he will return in 2018 for his senior year. In a message posted on Twitter, Samuel indicated he was close to returning for the Gamecocks, but that plan was derailed when he suffered the sprain.

Before the injury, Samuel was performing at a high level. In just three games, Samuel totaled 15 catches for 250 yards and three touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs for a touchdown and had a rushing touchdown.

His six total touchdowns still leads the team.

Without Samuel, South Carolina is 6-3 overall with a 4-3 mark in SEC play. Coming off a loss at No. 1 Georgia, the Gamecocks return to action Saturday at home against Florida. The Gators have lost four straight.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!