Beamer says no update on Dylan Stewart after SEC suspension served
Shane Beamer offered no clarity on Dylan Stewart’s status during his Sunday teleconference, per Jordan Kaye of The State. “No update,” Beamer said.
Stewart served his SEC suspension by missing the Kentucky game, but whether he returns for Week 6 remains unresolved. Beamer confirmed that Stewart apologized to the coach and the team.
“I met with Dylan pretty much every day last week and visited with Dylan today,” Beamer said. “Will keep those conversations between us, but no update right now.”
Whether Stewart will return to practice or play against Florida is not confirmed. Per Kaye, Beamer declined to answer that question and referred back to his “no update” response.
The SEC announced this past Monday that Stewart was suspended for one game for his actions in the South Carolina-Alabama game. Beamer, however, had said the suspension was indefinite.
Stewart missed the Kentucky game as a result of the SEC suspension. That game is now behind him, and the focus shifts to Saturday’s matchup at No. 16 Florida.
The junior edge rusher has just one tackle and one TFL on the 2026 season. He entered the year hyped as a likely 2027 NFL Draft pick after recording 12 TFLs, 4.5 sacks and eight QB hurries as a sophomore in 2025.
WHAT HAPPENED
The timeline of Stewart’s situation has been anything but clean. The SEC handed down a one-game suspension this past Monday for his actions in the South Carolina-Alabama game, but Beamer’s own words painted a different picture. He said the suspension was indefinite.
Stewart missed the Kentucky game as a result of the SEC ruling, so that part is settled. What remains unresolved is whether the indefinite language means more games could follow. That has not been confirmed, and Beamer has not clarified it.
When asked during his Sunday teleconference whether Stewart could return to practice before the Florida game, Beamer declined to answer, per Jordan Kaye of The State. He referred back to his earlier response: “No update.”
That leaves a gap between what the SEC ordered and what the coach has implied. The one-game ban is served; the indefinite suspension has not been lifted publicly. Beamer did confirm he met with Stewart nearly every day last week and that Stewart apologized to the coach and the team.
THE NUMBERS
The numbers explain why the question keeps coming up. Stewart is a junior edge rusher with just 1 tackle and 1 TFL on the 2026 season — a thin stat line for a player who was supposed to anchor the pass rush.
That output does not match the billing. Stewart entered the season hyped as a likely 2027 NFL Draft pick, and the production from his first two years backs up the projection.
As a sophomore in 2025, Stewart recorded 12 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, and 8 QB hurries. He followed up a debut season of 10.5 TFLs, 6.5 sacks, and 4 QB hurries in 2024.
No stats beyond the 2026 season are confirmed for this year, so the gap between what he has done and what he is doing now remains part of the story. The Gamecocks are missing a player who has proven he can wreck a backfield, even if the current season's box score does not yet show it.
THE REACTION
Beamer gave the same answer when asked about Stewart’s status during his Sunday teleconference, per Jordan Kaye of The State. “No update,” Beamer said.
“I met with Dylan pretty much every day last week and visited with Dylan today. Will keep those conversations between us, but no update right now,” Beamer added, per Kaye.
Beamer did confirm that Stewart apologized to the coach and the team. The details of those private conversations have not been disclosed.
When asked whether Stewart could return to practice before Saturday’s game at No. 16 Florida, Beamer declined to answer, referring back to his earlier “no update,” per Kaye.
WHAT TO WATCH NEXT
The next chance for clarity comes Saturday, when South Carolina and Florida kick off at 12:45 p.m. ET in Gainesville. The Gators enter that game ranked No. 16.
Whether Stewart will play or even practice before Saturday is not confirmed. Beamer declined to answer that question directly, per Kaye, instead referring back to his “no update.”
Stewart’s status is sure to remain a storyline until Beamer says one way or the other. All eyes are on the Gamecocks coach when it comes to the standout edge rusher, whose availability could shape the defensive game plan against a ranked opponent.
For now, the only certainty is the kickoff time. What happens before then, and whether Stewart suits up, rests on answers Beamer has so far kept to himself.
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