South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart reportedly on track to return from suspension Saturday at No. 16 Florida

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South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart is on track to return from his suspension and play versus No. 16 Florida on the road Saturday, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel.

Stewart’s set to travel with the Gamecocks on Friday, “as long as things continue to progress well in the wake of his suspension,” Thamel reported on Thursday.

Stewart, a junior with 11 career sacks and potential that makes him a highly touted NFL prospect, was suspended following South Carolina’s 49-18 defeat to then-No. 8 Alabama on Sept. 26. During that lopsided loss in Tuscaloosa, the 6-foot-5, 250-pound Stewart was flagged multiple times, including for throwing a punch at Crimson Tide tight end Josh Ford in the aftermath of an Alabama touchdown.

"I saw the play that he got the penalty on — I didn't see it until just now and that's unacceptable," Beamer said of the punch postgame. "That's not how we do things around here, and I'm embarrassed to see that. Because that's not what we're about."

At one point in that game, Stewart also resisted being subbed out, leading to a heated exchange with the Gamecocks’ coaching staff.

The SEC and South Carolina announced a joint one-game ban for Stewart on Sept. 28, the Monday after the Alabama game.

“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 in a statement.

“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.”

This story is being updated.

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