South Carolina Gamecocks starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers was forced to leave Thursday night’s game against the Mississippi State Bulldogs after suffering an ankle injury in the second half. Sellers, who had been playing with poise and confidence up until that point, appeared to twist his right ankle while scrambling out of the pocket late in the third quarter.
He was immediately attended to by the team’s medical staff on the sideline before being helped off the field. The injury raised concerns for the Gamecocks’ offense, as Sellers had been a key contributor in leading the team’s offensive efforts throughout the season.
Head coach Shane Beamer confirmed post-game that Sellers had suffered a sprained ankle, but further evaluation would be needed to determine the full extent of the injury. “We’ll know more in the coming days,” Beamer said in his post-game interview.
“But right now, we’re just focusing on getting him the treatment he needs and making sure he’s comfortable. LaNorris has been great for us this season, and we’re hopeful it’s nothing too serious.”
Sellers’ injury came at a pivotal moment in the game, as South Carolina was in the midst of a comeback attempt. With the Gamecocks trailing by 10 points in the third quarter, the sophomore quarterback had been orchestrating an impressive drive before the injury occurred.
The Gamecocks had to turn to backup quarterback Tylen Brown, who had limited experience under center. Brown was able to manage the offense but struggled to replicate Sellers’ success, and the Gamecocks ultimately fell short, losing to Mississippi State 31-21.
Sellers, who had been a breakout star for the Gamecocks in 2024, had been showing significant improvement this season. After taking over as the starting quarterback, the dual-threat signal-caller had impressed fans and coaches alike with his ability to both pass and run the football effectively.
Prior to the injury, he had thrown for over 200 yards in each of the team’s previous games, making him a rising star in the SEC. South Carolina will now wait for further updates on his condition as they prepare for their next game.
With Sellers’ status uncertain, the Gamecocks will likely rely on backup Tylen Brown to lead the offense in the short term. Brown, a redshirt freshman, will need to step up if South Carolina hopes to remain competitive in the SEC. The Gamecocks are scheduled to face a tough opponent next week, and fans will be hoping for a quick recovery from their starting quarterback.
