Jimbo Fisher Provides Update On Texas A&M Aggies DL Walter Nolen, Others vs. South Carolina Gamecocks

COLLEGE STATION -- Until the whistle blows, Texas A&M Aggies fans will wonder if its defense will be at full strength against South Carolina.

For now, Jimbo Fisher believes the quartet of defensive standouts will be good to go when kickoff arrives this Saturday at Kyle Field against the Gamecocks.

Fisher said Monday during his weekly press conference that "most everybody" is back from injury following the bye week, but he didn't specifically point out which players have returned to practice. Defensive back Bryce Anderson did not suit up in a 20-13 loss against Tennessee in Week 7, while linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and defensive linemen Albert Regis and Walter Nolen left with injuries and did not return.

"We'll find out when we get out there because are guys are getting treatment during the day," Fisher said. "Most guys healed up. The week was very good for us. Probably after Week 7, you start to [feel it], and guys needed several days off here and there.

"I'm not going to say everybody because I don't know that for a fact or 100 percent, but I'm going to say a large, large, large portion of them will be."

Cooper, who leads the SEC in tackles for loss (13.5), left prior to halftime with an undisclosed injury, leading to an uptick of play from freshman Taruen York. Regis, who's been exceptional defending the run, left just before the end of the first quarter and was seen on crutches in street clothes.

Nolen's injury was the biggest concern. The Aggies' top breakout player was carted off with just over six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter with a lower-body injury after being rolled up by a Volunteers' offensive lineman.

Fisher did not comment on the injury postgame in Knoxville. Last week, there was no media availability, leaving the public to wonder about the status of the former top defensive recruit.

An anemic offense has been combatted by a stalwart defense in 2023. Entering their bye week, the Aggies led the nation in tackles for loss (65) and sacks (26), headlined by Cooper (6.0), Nolen (4.0) and Shemar Turner (3.5).

The bye week came at an ideal time following close losses to Alabama and Tennessee. A&M (4-3, 2-2 SEC) kept things interesting early but couldn't close the deal late due to untimely play calls and turnovers, losing by a combined 13 points.

An early kick might also do wonders for the Aggies, who are 2-0 in 11 a.m. games this season. The Gamecocks (3-5, 1-3 SEC) have also struggled to find offensive consistency under third-year coach Shane Beamer and veteran quarterback Spencer Rattler, mainly due to inept offensive line play.

The return of Nolen, Cooper and others should benefit the Aggies in turning the corner Saturday for a much-needed win. But Fisher knows how hungry the Gamecocks are to end their three-game losing streak and pick up another victory in the battle of the Bonham Trophy.

"Hopefully, we're hungry and talented," said Fisher. "I think they're talented and I think we're talented. That's why I say we need to play well. It's back to getting to the ordinary things.

"It's amazing how simple you think things are, but when you're in it, you know it's not as simple as it seems to be sometimes."