South Carolina tailback Raheim “Rocket” Sanders had to leave Saturday’s game against Akron in the first quarter due to injury.
Sanders was later seen leaving the field in a walking shoe. Although it is not immediately clear what the problem is or how serious it is, Sanders left the field in the second quarter and was ruled out for the rest of the game. He later returned to the South Carolina sideline in civilian clothes. Radio announcer Todd Ellis reported the injury was a “lower leg injury.”
Rocket Sanders just went into the locker room
A hiking boot on his left foot@gamecockfb | @waxfox pic.twitter.com/FAAgJLCxGL
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) 22 September 2024
South Carolina was already without quarterback LaNorris Sellers and starting receiver Jared Brown. Sanders had only one rushing attempt for 1 yard at the time of his departure.
Without its starting backfield, South Carolina relied on Robby Ashford as a dual-threat option. Ashford completed 11 of his 16 passes in the first half for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns and added 91 rushing yards on 9 attempts.
Juju McDowell and Oscar Adaway handled the tailbacks’ running. Adaway had 9 attempts for 23 yards and a score, while McDowell had 5 attempts for 29 yards in the first half.
South Carolina went into the break with a 22-7 lead.
Sanders is playing his first season with the Gamecocks after joining the team from Arkansas in the offseason. He entered Week 4 with 285 rushing yards and 4 scores on 56 carries. Sanders only played in 6 games for the Razorbacks last season as he battled a shoulder injury.
