Gamecocks wide receiver out for the season
South Carolina sophomore wide receiver OrTre Smith is out for the season with a knee injury that has nagged him all season, head coach Will Muschamp announced Tuesday.
"Ortre Smith is going to have surgery next week, a genetic issue on his knee, it's a subluxed kneecap, it slides out about 40 percent," Muschamp said. "It is very, very painful. It is something he has been dealing with over a long period of time, obviously, but certainly has really affected him this training camp. He's had a hard time with it. We've exhausted about every measure we could medically to alleviate the pain, days off and different things. I'm really frustrated for him, I know he's been extremely frustated this fall, not playing at his full-go potential."
Muschamp added that Smith is expected back for spring practice.
Subluxation is a temporary and partial dislocation of the kneecap and can cause swelling and a lot of pain bending or straightening a knee.
"He's been in a lot of pain," Muschamp said, "and it's been frustrating for him."
The 6-foot-4, 222-pounder from Wando (S.C.) High has served as one of South Carolina's top reserve receivers this season and has three catches for 25 yards in two games.
As a true freshman last season, Smith appeared in all 13 games, making 10 starts, and ranked third on the team with 30 catches for three touchdowns.
Senior tight end K.C. Crosby had surgery to repair a broken finger, but should be fine for the Kentucky game. Crosby did not practice today, but will practice some Wednesday and will be full-go Thursday.
Sophomore wide receiver Chad Terrell, who suffered a torn ACL this offseason, practiced for the first time in a non-contact jersey on Tuesday, and could be fully cleared in two or three weeks.
Cornerback Rashad Fenton practiced Tuesday after exiting the Vanderbilt game early.
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