Texas A&M will need everything they've got if they want to get a win today against the South Carolina Gamecocks, and the one big name still on the injury report for the Aggies is an extremely pivotal one. KJ Edwards has been listed as questionable all week for the Aggies, and given the fact that his numbers are simply so much better than every other Texas A&M running back so far this year, his participation is going to be a huge factor in whether or not the Aggies have a chance here.
Edwards was initially listed as questionable on Wednesday alongside Noah Mikhail. While no. 0 on defense was upgraded to probable, and eventually came off the injury report last night, no. 0 on offense has remained in the same category all week— he was joined by Ashton Bethel-Roman on Thursday, who was listed as out as of last night.
Earlier in the week, Edwards told the gathered media that he was good to go after an injury he suffered against Alabama two weeks ago. That injury was the cause of no small amount of consternation among fans, though, as Edwards had looked really good against a very tough Alabama front up until that point, so the low number of carries in the second half was seen as a huge whiff by the coaching staff until the cause was revealed.
Will KJ Edwards play for Texas A&M against South Carolina today?
Edwards currently averages 6.55 yards per carry for the Aggies, over 2 yards more per touch than any other player with more than 10 carries on the season. His electricity and athleticism are obvious every time he touches the ball, so the Aggies need to get it in his hands as much as possible.
He's had a few games where injuries have affected him, though, as he was also sidelined for a lot of the second half against Kentucky. Having him in the lineup for that one could have helped A&M in a big way, as they were unable to control the game in the slightest once the third quarter came around— he could have picked up some tough yards to keep possessions alive in a game where A&M had two crucial three-and-outs in that quarter.
If he's able to go today, he'll have to pick up some tough yards as well. Carolina's front is not nearly as good as Alabama's, for example, nor Missouri's— but it's the strength of their defense, and they'll be stacking the box and looking to feast early against an A&M offense that has struggled through the air so far this year.
Edwards has shown an aptitude for navigating traffic and finding gaps in opposing defenses, so the Aggies will need him to find some creases against Carolina today. It will help ease the pressure on the passing game in a big way if he's able to get some things going early.
Given his comments earlier in the week, I think we see him get going today. He'll likely be listed as a game time decision, but he should at least get out there and give it a go— hopefully, he'll be as effective as ever.
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