Dylan Stewart and Jacarrius Peak are listed as probable, while starting center Carter Miller remains questionable on South Carolina’s initial availability report.

South Carolina’s first SEC availability report of the 2026 season contains its share of bad news. Five Gamecocks have already been ruled out for Saturday’s conference opener against Mississippi State, while starting center Carter Miller is listed as questionable.

But the biggest story may be found on the other side of the report.

Dylan Stewart and Jacarrius Peak are probable.

For a South Carolina team that has started the season 2-0 without either player taking a snap, the potential return of two major pieces couldn’t come at a better time. Nonconference play is over, Mississippi State is coming to Williams-Brice Stadium, and the Gamecocks are about to find out what they have as SEC play begins.

Dylan Stewart’s Return Could Change the Defense

Of all the names on South Carolina’s initial availability report, none carries more weight than Stewart.

The star edge rusher has yet to play this season as he works his way back from a back injury that affected him last year. Stewart and Peak returned to full-contact practice in pads earlier this month, and Stewart’s designation as probable is the strongest indication yet that his season debut could finally come Saturday. 

Getting Stewart back would be a major addition to a South Carolina defense that has already handled its business without him.

Through his first two seasons as a Gamecock, Stewart has recorded 11 sacks and six forced fumbles. His ability to create pressure off the edge can change the way an opposing offense operates, and South Carolina hasn’t had that weapon available through its first two games. 

That doesn’t necessarily mean Stewart will immediately return to a full workload.

After such a long recovery, it would be reasonable to expect South Carolina to be mindful of his usage. The Gamecocks have rotated Anthony Addison, Caleb Herring, Julian Walker and Drew Collins at edge through the first two weeks, giving the coaching staff options without asking Stewart to carry the entire load in his first game back. 

Even in a limited role, however, Stewart’s presence could make a difference.

Putting one of South Carolina’s most disruptive defenders back on the field adds another problem for Mississippi State to account for on every passing down. If Stewart is healthy enough to resemble the player Gamecock fans have grown accustomed to seeing, an already promising South Carolina defense becomes considerably more dangerous.

Peak’s Potential Debut Comes at an Important Time

Stewart isn’t the only significant name under the probable column.

Offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak could also make his South Carolina debut Saturday after missing the first two games while recovering from a knee injury suffered after transferring from NC State.

Peak arrived in Columbia with plenty of experience. During three seasons at NC State, he played more than 2,200 snaps and allowed only seven sacks, and he was rated among the top offensive tackles available in the transfer portal. Freshman Darius Gray has started at left tackle in Peak’s absence. 

His potential return comes at an especially useful time for the Gamecocks.

Josiah Thompson is already listed as out, and Carter Miller’s status remains uncertain. Adding an experienced tackle such as Peak back into the mix would give South Carolina another option up front as the level of competition increases.

Carter Miller’s Status Is Worth Watching

Miller may be the most important name to watch as updated availability reports are released.

The UCF transfer has started South Carolina’s first two games at center but did not return for the second half against Towson after experiencing muscle tightness. Shane Beamer indicated after the game that the issue wasn’t believed to be long-term and said the team’s injuries coming out of the game should be minor. 

Still, Miller is officially listed as questionable for Saturday. 

His availability becomes even more important with Thompson already ruled out. Offensive-line continuity is always valuable, but that becomes particularly true when a team moves from its nonconference schedule into SEC play.

If Miller can go and Peak is able to make his debut, South Carolina’s offensive line could look considerably healthier than the initial list of injuries might suggest.

Mississippi State Has Injuries of Its Own

The Bulldogs aren’t arriving in Columbia at full strength either.

Wide receiver Ayden Williams and defensive lineman Diesel Moye are listed as out. Starting linebacker Zakari Tillman is questionable, while cornerback Kelley Jones is probable. Tillman has yet to play this season. 

Williams’ absence removes an experienced option from Mississippi State’s receiver room. The senior caught 21 passes for 252 yards last season and entered 2026 listed behind the Bulldogs’ starting outside receivers on the depth chart. 

Mississippi State does have depth at receiver, so South Carolina’s secondary will still have plenty to deal with. But taking another experienced target out of the rotation certainly won’t hurt a Gamecock defense that could simultaneously be adding Stewart back to its pass rush.

The Full Initial Availability Report

South Carolina

Out: QB Lucian Anderson III, DB Jalewis Solomon, WR Jayden Sellers, LB A.J. Holloway, OL Josiah Thompson

Questionable: OL Carter Miller

Probable: EDGE Dylan Stewart, OL Jacarrius Peak

Mississippi State

Out: DL Diesel Moye, WR Ayden Williams

Questionable: LB Zakari Tillman

Probable: CB Kelley Jones 

Reinforcements Arriving at the Right Time

An injury report with five Gamecocks already ruled out isn’t ideal.

But Wednesday night’s report also provided South Carolina fans with something they’ve been waiting months to see: Dylan Stewart and Jacarrius Peak are getting closer.

Peak could provide a major boost to an offensive line entering SEC play, while Stewart has the ability to change the complexion of South Carolina’s defense whenever he’s on the field.

The question now isn’t simply whether Stewart plays. It’s how much he plays — and how quickly he can get back to being the disruptive force South Carolina knows he can be.

If Stewart is ready, Mississippi State’s offense will have one more very big problem to solve Saturday afternoon.

South Carolina and Mississippi State kick off Saturday at 4:15 p.m. ET at Williams-Brice Stadium, with the game televised on SEC Network.

The SEC availability report is updated Thursday, Friday and again on game day. Gamecock Roost will follow any changes leading up to kickoff.