Whitlock among USC's latest with injury issues

COLUMBIA -- Steve Spurrier was a bit more upbeat Sunday about the injuries that South Carolina sustained against Arkansas, but the Gamecocks coach is still unsure of several players' statuses for this week's de facto SEC East title game at No. 24 Florida.

Spurrier said junior cornerback C.C. Whitlock suffered a "pretty good slight concussion." Spurrier said Saturday night, after Whitlock was transported to an area hospital, that he would not play this week.

But he said Sunday that Whitlock is "probably questionable" for Florida.

Whitlock was replacing senior Chris Culliver, who was lost for the season a week ago after he tore a muscle in his chest.

Walk-on Marty Markett played in Whitlock's place, and Spurrier seemed pleased with Markett's effort, saying the former USC track All-American "hustled around" and did what the coaches asked him to do.

Behind Markett is Jimmy Legree, who is yet to play significant minutes, and Brandan Davis, a former walk-on who has been hampered by a broken hand this fall.

Left tackle Jarriel King also suffered a concussion, but Spurrier didn't act as if it were as serious was Whitlock's.

"He should be OK," Spurrier said of the North Charleston native. "He wasn't knocked out or anything."

Additionally, sophomore center T.J. Johnson left the game in the second half after spraining his left knee.

After being fitted for a brace, Johnson appeared as if he wanted to return to the game. By then, though, Arkansas had a big lead and there was no sense subjecting Johnson to further injury.

Spurrier said Johnson would sit out practice most of this week, and his status would be determined later in the week.

Freshman Ronald Patrick, whom the coaches were hoping to redshirt, replaced Johnson. Now that the redshirt is off, Spurrier said Patrick will likely play some guard -- and center if Johnson is sidelined -- in the remaining games.

Spurrier said backup quarterback Connor Shaw also will miss the bulk of this week's practices after he suffered bruised ribs late in the game.

After watching film, Spurrier said the hit -- deemed illegal by officials at the time -- was "really close" to being legal. Shaw and the defender were both close to the sideline.

"It wasn't a dirty hit by Arkansas," Spurrier said.

On top of all that, freshman running back Marcus Lattimore suffered a bruised left knee late in the first quarter. He returned, but never quite showed the same burst or power.

Lattimore finished with a season-low 30 yards on 11 carries.

"Even Marcus didn't have his best of games," Spurrier said. "He got sort of kicked in the knee, and we were down three touchdowns all of a sudden. I told the running back coach, let's sort of let him rest and live to fight another day. … I think he'll be OK this week."

Ga. lineman commits

Offensive lineman Kyle Harris (6-3, 283) of Lindale, Ga., committed to USC on Saturday night while on an unofficial visit. He is a former Georgia Tech commitment. He also had offers from Clemson, Illinois, Louisville, Auburn, Purdue, Syracuse and Tennessee. Harris is USC’s sixth offensive line commitment and likely the last it will take at that position. He is USC’s 23rd commitment overall.