COLUMBIA — Freshman offensive lineman Markee Anderson will have season-ending surgery for a knee injury suffered shortly before South Carolina football's opener against North Carolina, coach Shane Beamer announced Sunday.

Anderson, a 6-foot-4, 320-pound Roebuck native, was the only freshman O-lineman to make the Gamecocks' Week 1 depth chart but he did not travel to the UNC game because of the injury. He was ruled out against both Furman and Georgia before Beamer said the team decided to "shut him down" to prepare for spring practice.

"It's nothing long term, ACL or any of that. It's just something that's been nagging him all along since August," Beamer said. "He's really been trying to fight through it because he wants to be out there so bad, but it's just one of those things where he doesn't feel like he can be at 100%. We at this the point have tried really every different type of treatment and brace and rehab and things like that. It's just not healing like it needs to be healed."

Anderson was a four-star prospect and the No. 7 interior offensive line prospect in the Class of 2023. A former standout at Dorman High School, he was also one of four top-10 in-state recruits to sign with the Gamecocks (1-2) this season. He had been expected to contribute immediately at right guard.

South Carolina's offensive line has struggled through the first three games, giving up 13 sacks, including nine in North Carolina. The Gamecocks, through a combination of the line and lack of running back depth, rank last in the SEC in total rushing yards and have more than 200 fewer yards than the next lowest team (Kentucky).

Beamer also said Sunday that there is no update on the status of Cason Henry, the starting right tackle who suffered a lower-body injury against UNC. Beamer had said after Week 1 that Henry would miss extended time.

South Carolina's next game is against Mississippi State at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday (7:30 p.m., SEC Network).

Follow South Carolina football beat reporter Emily Adams on X @eaadams6 and subscribe to The Greenville News for exclusive Gamecocks content: https://subscribe.greenvilleonline.com/offers.

Get the latest news and insight on SEC football by subscribing to the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina football: 4-star OL Markee Anderson out for 2023 season