(Photo credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images)

South Carolina star quarterback LaNorris Sellers took a big step Thursday toward suiting up for the Gamecocks' game at No. 23 Missouri on Saturday.

Sellers, a preseason Heisman Trophy candidate, was elevated to probable on the Southeastern Conference availability report, an encouraging development for South Carolina. He was listed as questionable on the report Wednesday.

Sellers sustained a head injury late in the second quarter of last Saturday's 31-7 home loss to Vanderbilt. Langston Patterson of the Commodores was called for targeting on the play and ejected.

Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer declined to pinpoint Sellers' status on Tuesday, while acknowledging a declaration would have to be made Wednesday.

Beamer also said that players who don't practice on Tuesday and Wednesday won't play in the game.

According to an ESPN, Sellers did practice Wednesday.

Sellers, in his third college season, is considered a first-round selection in the 2026 NFL Draft should he decide to enter the draft. Some prognosticators rate him as one of the top overall players in the draft.

This season, Sellers has passed for 431 yards, two touchdowns and one interception in three games. He also has rushed for a score.

In 2024, Sellers completed 65.6 percent of his passes for 2,534 yards, 18 touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also ran for 674 yards and seven scores.

Beamer said Tuesday that sixth-year senior Luke Doty would start if Sellers can't play against the Tigers. Doty replaced Sellers against Vanderbilt and was 18-of-27 passing for 148 yards and one interception. The Gamecocks didn't score any points during his time on the field.

--Field Level Media