Practice Report: Gamecocks feeling the bug

South Carolina is feeling the repercussions of a flu bug that has made its way around the team as the Gamecocks continue to get ready for the Florida Gators. There are also some injury concerns leaving the status of several Gamecock star players in question for this weekend's game.

If you are looking for a hashtag to describe the Gamecocks right now, it could be #FearTheFlu.

The South Carolina Gamecocks returned to the Proving Grounds on Wednesday afternoon to continue to prepare for this weekend's game against Florida but the team is starting to turn into a mash unit in recent days.

Several Gamecock players are suffering from a flu bug that has made its way around to several players on the team dating back to last week.

The following Gamecocks have missed time due to sickness so far in recent days:

-Ace Sanders - flu
-Bruce Ellington - flu
-Jimmy Legree - flu
-Mike Matulis - flu
-Cody Gibson - flu

Coach Spurrier spoke to the media after practice and talked about the concerns for the Gamecocks this weekend.

"A lot of them been sick during the week. Bruce did not practice today. Ace missed yesterday. Matulis was out today. Jimmy Legree was out. That little flu bug has hit us before we got our flu shots. Hopefully those guys will be back by the weekend."

Not only has the flu bug hit the Gamecocks, but so has the injury bug. Among the players missing time or have been limited this week in practice include Marcus Lattimore, Jadeveon Clowney, Kelcy Quarles, J.T. Surratt and Byron Jerideau.

Spurrier talked on Sunday about Lattimore having a 'bruised hip' coming out of the LSU game, but at the time seem to think he would be okay. Lattimore has since missed time in the past few practices and did not dress out for Wednesday's practice.

"Marcus Lattimore did not practice again today. I don't know how to list him. We're not sure if he'll be able to play."

Spurrier compared Lattimore's injury to one that Connor Shaw suffered from earlier this year. Shaw had a deep bone bruise that was revealed as a hairline fracture but Spurrier did not indicate Wednesday night as to whether or not Lattimore has a fracture on his hip. For now, he thinks it could be a few weeks for him to be fully healed.

"His bruise may be something similar to what Connor had in his back. It takes a week or two to heal up. I'm not sure if they call it a bruise, bone in the hip, upper hit area somewhere."

As to who would be Lattimore's replacement this weekend, those honors would go to senior Kenny Miles and freshman Mike Davis.

"Kenny and Mike Davis got all the reps to today. Probably a good chance Kenny will start the game and we'll see how Marcus is by the weekend."

Last year, freshman Brandon Wilds was a big reason for the Gamecocks victory over Florida when he ran for 120 yards in the 17-12 victory in Columbia. This time, South Carolina may have to rely on the freshman Mike Davis to step in if Lattimore is unable to go this weekend.

On the defensive side of the ball, the injuries to Clowney and the defensive tackles - Kelcy Quarles, Byron Jerideau and J.T. Surratt - could be harmful for the South Carolina front line against a strong Florida running game.

"Clowney's limited. His foot is bothering him. The defensive tackles – Quarles, Surratt and Jerideau – Quarles probably won't play. J.T. And Jerideau are limited so we got the freshman guys, Phillip Dukes and Gerald Dixon ready to go."

Speaking of Quarles, Spurrier was asked if Quarles missing time this weekend was due to injury or discipline, he said that it was "a little bit of both."

Regardless of injury, flu bug or anything else, South Carolina will need to be on their game this weekend to have a chance to upset the Florida Gators. Spurrier knows the Gamecocks are a little banged up and feeling the flu bug, but they'll need to be ready to play.

"We're sorta banged up a little bit all of a sudden. And flu bug's hit us. We'll have 11 to get out on the field and hopefully be ready to play."

Post-Practice Notes

-While Coach Spurrier doesn't know how to list Marcus Lattimore right now, running backs coach Everette Sands thinks Lattimore will be able to play.

-Spurrier did come to Quarles defense to a degree on Wednesday night in regards to the punch on the LSU player. He said the punch wasn't a "haymaker" and that he got leveled by an LSU player on the return of Jimmy Legree's interception return, where he injured his shoulder.

-Cody Gibson wasn't on the travel team to LSU and has missed team dating back to last week with illness. Spurrier mentioned on Wednesday night that he was unsure what illness Gibson has.