COLUMBIA — South Carolina football had its first scrimmage of the 2024 preseason in Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, and it was closed to the media.

Coach Shane Beamer said eight players didn't participate: offensive linemen Markee Anderson and Jakai Moore, wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs, edge rusher Elijah Davis, tight end Reid Mikeska, linebacker Bam Martin-Scott and running backs Juju McDowell and Rocket Sanders.

Beamer didn't specify any injuries and said he expects everyone to be good to practice Sunday morning. On Friday during South Carolina's open practice, Moore, Anderson and McDowell were seen off to the side with trainers, not participating in drills.

Sanders, a transfer running back from Arkansas, missed the spring season recovering from a torn labrum. Beamer said Sanders is 100% healthy and has been doing everything in practice so far.

Beamer said he was happy with the offensive line.

"Outside of (Anderson and Moore) not practicing today, the offensive line has been healthy," Beamer said. "Overall I've been pleased, I like the way that group is working."

The Gamecocks lost six offensive linemen to season-ending injuries in 2023.

What Shane Beamer said about South Carolina's offense during scrimmage

When asked who scored during the scrimmage, Beamer laughed before saying not many did.

"We had some drives that we didn't finish, whether we got in scoring territory and missed a field goal or had negative yardage on offense ... a positive side is we didn't turn the ball over besides one interception."

Freshman tight end Michael Smith caught a touchdown, freshman running back Matthew Fuller scored on a drive and Isaiah McClary intercepted a pass, Beamer said.

"We really wanted to come out of the scrimmage having a good idea about the running backs and who we can count on right now, and who might be in that rotation," Beamer said.

Sanders is expected to be the No. 1 running back. Oscar Adaway, a potential backup, got reps on Saturday, with Fuller. Other options include Jawarn Howell and Djay Braswell.

An update to the kicker competition for South Carolina football

The starting kicker job is also up for grabs after 2023 kicker Mitch Jeter transferred to Notre Dame. It's likely between redshirt junior William Joyce and sixth-year Alex Herrera with Kai Kroeger as the expected punter.

"It's been inconsistent and I think all those guys have had opportunities in practice that they've taken advantage of and also missed some really good opportunities to take a step forward," Beamer said. "I don't think we are any closer to having a starter at that position."

Cornerback update for South Carolina football in 2024

O'Donnell Fortune will likely return to one of the two starting cornerback spots, but the Gamecocks are without other starter Marcellas Dial, who was drafted by the New England Patriots in April.

Beamer said Judge Collier, Vicari Swain and Emory Floyd have all had a good preseason.

"We will probably end up playing all three of those guys I imagine ... we try to have a rotation and keep guys fresh," Beamer said.

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Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at lkesin@gannett.com and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: South Carolina football: Shane Beamer on scrimmage, Rocket Sanders