Connor Shaw: South Carolina QB Will Not Be Rushed Back to Start in UAB Game

Heading into Week 3, the South Carolina Gamecocks are set to take on the UAB Blazers at Williams-Brice Stadium. That much we know is certain.

What remains uncertain is who will be guiding the offense for the Gamecocks.

Starting quarterback Connor Shaw is still feeling the effects of the shoulder contusion he suffered early in the Vanderbilt game from Week 1, but he is improving.

According to head coach Steve Spurrier in his weekly press conference (h/t al.com), he does not expect Shaw to do much until Wednesday or Thursday, adding, "Connor will practice when the trainers say he can practice and the doctors say he's OK to go."

Shaw remained on the sidelines for the entirety of the East Carolina game as second-stringer Dylan Thompson stepped up in a major way. Thompson was good for 330 yards and three touchdowns in the Gamecocks' 48-10 thrashing of the Pirates.

Although this is one of the lighter games on the Gamecocks' schedule, that does not mean they can blow it off. They will prepare for UAB as they would for any other team but the main goal this week has to be to rest any injured starters, namely Shaw, while coming away with the win.

With the next several weeks after UAB, South Carolina will get into the heart of their schedule and take on several SEC rivals. If they can get past week three and rest the starters, the 'Cocks will be much better off as they prepare for Missouri, Kentucky and Georgia over the next couple weeks.