South Carolina QB Stephen Garcia landed hard on his left shoulder and jammed his throwing thumb on a helmet during the regular season finale against the Clemson Tigers, but he’s fine and will start against the Auburn Tigers in the SEC Championship Game. Garcia wore a sling on Monday and was limited in practice on Tuesday, but was fine to practice by Wednesday, though he wore a brace while throwing.
Playing at less than 100 percent has never been a problem for Garcia, who played with bruised ribs last year against the Mississippi Rebels. He didn’t leave the Clemson game after either injury. The Cocks need Garcia to have his fourth-straight good game. He hasn’t turned the ball over since Nov. 6, a rare streak of steadiness from one of the SEC’s most sporadic players.
Garcia was benched during Carolina’s first game against the Auburn Tigers for fumbling away two fourth-quarter runs.