South Carolina missing its starting punter because of injury as camp gets going
South Carolina is down a specialist before preseason camp has officially kicked off.
Head coach Shane Beamer told reporters on Thursday that starting punter Kai Kroeger is dealing with a foot injury that is “short term.” It’s not clear whether he’ll be able to play in the season opener on Sept. 3 against Georgia State.
Kroeger injured his foot during a summer punting drill, Beamer said.
Kroeger served as the Gamecocks’ punter last season and earned SEC All-Freshman honors during the 2020 campaign. The Chicago area native holds a 43.1-yards per punt average over his first two seasons in Columbia — good for third on the school’s all-time career list behind Joseph Charlton (45.5) and Sean Kelly (43.3).
Beamer didn’t name any specific names as far as who could replace Kroeger if he can’t play Week 1 vs. Georgia State. He did note that most every specialist on South Carolina’s roster has some versatility to punt and kick and that the staff is working through contingency plans.
Kroeger also served as South Carolina’s holder last season and it’s not altogether clear who will handle those duties in his absence.
▪ Other injuries: Beamer said the team is mostly healthy but that there were a few players the staff would monitor early in camp. He previously announced that defensive tackle Rick Sandidge (foot) is taking a medical disqualification, meaning his USC career is over. Sandidge is expected to remain around the team.
This story was originally published August 4, 2022 at 3:30 PM with the headline "South Carolina missing its starting punter because of injury as camp gets going."
