The South Carolina Gamecocks just faced a significant setback. Coach Shane Beamer announced that starting left tackle Josiah Thompson will miss the entire 2026 season due to a persistent lower-body injury requiring surgery.
“I don’t expect Josiah to play this upcoming season,” Beamer shared with reporters.
This injury isn’t new. Beamer mentioned that it has been an ongoing issue for a couple of years. While Thompson managed to keep playing, surgery became necessary.
Remarkably, Thompson played through this concern last season. Now, the team is opting for a long-term solution, allowing him to fully recover and continue his career after college.
This loss is substantial for the Gamecocks.
Thompson started 24 of the last 25 games at left tackle, proving to be one of the most dependable offensive linemen on the squad. He was also recognized as South Carolina’s Mr. Football in 2023, an honor only previously given to one other offensive lineman.
Unfortunately, the timing couldn’t be worse. After struggling through a challenging 4-8 season, the Gamecocks are still reeling from this setback, particularly considering that another offensive lineman, Jacarrius Peak, recently injured his knee during a team basketball tournament.
On a brighter note, Peak is expected to return for the regular season, although his spring practices will be missed and his summer training will be limited.
Nevertheless, losing Thompson for the entire year creates a significant void on the left side of the line.
For a team aiming to regain momentum, this isn’t the ideal start South Carolina needed.
