South Carolina WR Samuel sidelined with leg injury

Sep 18, 2017 - 7:12 PM South Carolina will be without its best offensive playmaker, junior receiver Deebo Samuel, for an "extended period of time," coach Will Muschamp said on a conference call Monday morning.

Samuel suffered a lower-leg fracture in Saturday's home loss to Kentucky as his left leg got caught underneath him while being tackled.

Muschamp said after the game that Samuel's injury would be season-ending, but Samuel tweeted that night that he would miss only five to six weeks and the coach is now leaving the door open for a potential return.

Samuel is an all-purpose player for the Gamecocks offense, with 15 catches for 250 yards and three touchdowns, as well as two rushes for 30 yards and a score. He has scored on two kick returns this season, giving him six of South Carolina's 11 touchdowns.

South Carolina (2-1) plays host to Louisiana Tech this Saturday.