South Carolina football and head coach Shane Beamer teased a potential return for Dylan Stewart six days ago. Looks like he and offensive lineman Jacarrius Peak are trending up to becoming healthy. Especially right before facing SEC rival Mississippi State.

Both Gamecocks players landed on the SEC's availability report Wednesday. But the two college veterans are listed as “probable” for the showdown against the Bulldogs.

The edge rusher Stewart entered the 2026 season gaining steam ahead of the NFL Draft. Stewart rose as the Gamecocks' second-most intriguing pro prospect next to star quarterback LaNorris Sellers. But Stewart battled a back injury at the start of the '26 campaign. Peak dealt with a bad knee.

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Now Stewart is ready to come in and boost the defense under Beamer, who landed on the hot seat following a letdown 2025 campaign. South Carolina finished 4-8 overall after going 9-4 the previous season. Beamer is in his sixth season in the Palmetto State but has never produced a double-digit winning campaign with the Gamecocks.

But his team is off to a 2-0 start for the second time since that 2024 campaign, which ended in a Citrus Bowl appearance. He gained a huge boost with talented dual-threat QB Sellers and top pass rusher Stewart opting to run it back for the 2026 season.

Saturday's battle shapes up as a showcase of two unheralded 2-0 teams in the SEC. The Bulldogs are off to a fast start following routs of Minnesota and Louisiana-Monroe. South Carolina has blown out Kent State and Towson to start the year.