Will Muschamp updates status of Rico Dowdle for Outback Bowl

South Carolina is looking to reach nine wins with a win over Michigan in the Outback Bowl, but the Gamecocks will likely enter that game without RB Rico Dowdle.

Expectations were high for Dowdle after he burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2016. Dowdle ran for 764 yards and 6 TDs in just nine games with the Gamecocks last season. Unfortunately, he was never able to get on track this season.

Dowdle rushed for 206 yards and just 3.4 YPC before a leg fracture forced him to miss time. South Carolina was holding out hope that he may return for the Outback Bowl, but that appears unlikely as head coach Will Muschamp announced Dowdle will probably not play in the game.

David Cloninger shared Muschamp’s comments:

Will Muschamp: Rico Dowdle probably will not play in the Outback Bowl.

— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) December 28, 2017

Muschamp also indicated that RB A.J. Turner, who was dealing with an ankle injury of his own, is good to play. With Turner available, Muschamp pointed to a shared workload in the backfield for the game:

Muschamp: Turner good to go. He, Denson and Williams can rotate with Dowdle out.

— David Cloninger (@DCPandC) December 28, 2017

Paul Harvey

Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.