All-American defensive end Jadeveon Clowney will start Saturday for No. 14 South Carolina at Arkansas as long as he’s healthy.
Gamecocks defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward announced Clowney’s status on Thursday after practice.
Clowney completed a second straight day of practice after sitting out earlier in the week with a strained muscle near his ribcage. He also missed last Saturday’s game against Kentucky, deciding at the last minute that he was not healthy enough to play and angering coach Steve Spurrier.
Ward said Clowney has received treatment for the injury and that he’s preparing to return to action on Saturday.
“I think he’s getting better every day,” Ward said. “He’s doing everything in his power to be ready to play.”
There was speculation that Clowney was finished for the season to make sure he doesn’t hurt his potential No. 1 pick status in next year’s NFL Draft, but Clowney disputed that arlier this week.
“Regardless of what people say, I’ve been behind my team my whole life,” he said. “I dedicate myself to this team and this university, that’s why I chose to come here.”