South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart remains suspended indefinitely following Saturday’s game against Alabama, with coach Shane Beamer saying he will determine any return to the team.
Beamer told reporters Tuesday that Stewart was not currently with the team and that there was no update on when his suspension might end. Asked who would make the decision on his return, Beamer answered: “Me.”
The coach initially suspended Stewart on Sunday after several incidents during South Carolina’s 49–18 loss in Tuscaloosa. Those included punching Alabama tight end Josh Ford in the helmet, which drew a personal-foul penalty.
The Southeastern Conference and South Carolina then jointly announced a one-game suspension Monday. That punishment rules Stewart out of Saturday’s home game against Kentucky, while Beamer’s separate indefinite suspension leaves his availability after that game unresolved.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey criticized the contact in the conference statement and warned that future misconduct by Stewart would bring more severe disciplinary action.
“Such action against an opponent carries a serious risk of injury,” Sankey said.
South Carolina athletic director Jeremiah Donati supported the discipline, saying the program expected its players to retain their composure during competition. His statement backed both the conference’s decision and Beamer’s response.
Stewart also had exchanges with coaches on the sideline during the Alabama game. Beamer described his conduct as embarrassing after the loss, before announcing the school’s initial suspension the following day.
The defensive end had only recently returned from a back injury. He made his season debut against Mississippi State on September 19 after being unavailable earlier in the year.
Across two-plus seasons with South Carolina, Stewart has recorded 57 tackles, 23.5 tackles for loss and 11 sacks, according to Field Level Media’s report on the punishment.
South Carolina is 2–2 overall and 0–2 in the SEC. Kentucky enters at 3–1 and 1–1 in conference play. Saturday’s game is scheduled for 4:15 p.m. Eastern on SEC Network, with Stewart unavailable and no later return date announced.
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