Dylan Stewart Returns to South Carolina Practice After Suspension for Punching Alabama Player

South Carolina pass-rusher Dylan Stewart returned to practice Tuesday following his one-game suspension, but it remains to be seen whether he will play in Saturday's contest against Florida.

"He was at practice today," Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer told reporters. "His status for Saturday has not been determined. That will be determined as we go throughout the week."

The SEC and South Carolina jointly suspended Stewart for the team's game against Kentucky after he punched a player during a loss to Alabama. The SEC's announcement said the punishment was "for egregious contact against an opposing player."

Stewart would be in line for a more severe punishment if there are any other issues.

"Dylan Stewart's egregious contact reflects behavior that is unacceptable and not aligned with the standards of the Southeastern Conference," SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said when issuing the suspension. "Such action against an opponent carries a serious risk of injury and has no place in our conference competition. This suspension is appropriate, and any future misconduct by Dylan Stewart will result in more severe disciplinary action."

In addition to punching a player, Stewart appeared to be frustrated with his own team's coaching staff as he was being substituted out:

South Carolina's defense struggled without its star pass-rusher on the field during a 35-34 loss to Kentucky. Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey threw for three touchdowns and connected with Willie Rodriguez for the winning two-point conversion following the final touchdown.

The Gamecocks are now 2-3 overall and 0-3 in SEC play following a third consecutive loss. They were far more competitive against UK than they were during a 49-18 defeat to the Crimson Tide, but it was still another setback for a program looking to bounce back from last year's 4-8 mark.

As for Stewart, he is widely considered one of the best defensive prospects in the sport.

B/R's NFL Scouting Department ranked him as the fifth-best overall player in its latest big board of prospects for the 2027 NFL draft. It also listed him as the second-best edge-rusher and best speed-rusher in the class.

There is going to be additional attention on him because of his draft outlook, especially when he does return to the field following his suspension.