South Carolina’s offensive line just took a major hit. Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer revealed that starting left tackle Josiah Thompson is expected to miss the entire 2026 season because of a lingering lower-body injury that will require surgery.
“I don’t anticipate Josiah being able to play this upcoming season,” Beamer told reporters.
The injury isn’t new. According to Beamer, it dates back a couple of years and had been managed while Thompson continued playing. But at some point, surgery became unavoidable.
Thompson actually played through the issue last season. Now the program is choosing the long-term route so the standout tackle can fully recover and continue his career beyond college.
That’s a big loss for the Gamecocks.
Thompson started 24 of South Carolina’s last 25 games at left tackle and has been one of the team’s most reliable offensive linemen. He was also named South Carolina’s Mr. Football in 2023, becoming just the second offensive lineman to win the honor.
And the timing isn’t great. South Carolina is trying to bounce back from a rough 4-8 season, and the offensive line was already dealing with another injury. NC State transfer Jacarrius Peak hurt his knee during the team’s 3-on-3 basketball tournament last month.
The good news there is Peak is expected back for the regular season, though he’ll miss spring practices and be limited this summer.
Still, losing Thompson for the year leaves a major hole on the left side.
And for a team trying to rebuild momentum, that’s not exactly the start South Carolina wanted.
