Vanderbilt football quarterback AJ Swann expected to start vs. South Carolina, Clark Lea says

Barring a setback, Vanderbilt football freshman quarterback AJ Swann will start against South Carolina, coach Clark Lea confirmed Thursday.

Swann suffered an injury during the third quarter of the Missouri game two weeks ago but was able to return to practice after the open week. Swann was listed first on this week's depth chart ahead of Mike Wright, and Lea said that, assuming Swann is able to go, he will start Saturday (6:30 p.m. CT, SEC Network).

The Commodores (3-5, 0-4 SEC) came the closest to getting an SEC win last year against the Gamecocks (5-3, 2-3) in a 21-20 loss started by Wright.

"AJ is expected to play," Lea said. "We feel good about that. We have a little bit of prep left, but it's not going to put him in position to worsen his injury. So barring any other additional setback, it'll be fine. ... If he's ready to go, he'll go. He'll start."

LESSONS FROM LAST YEARHow Vanderbilt football can avoid a repeat of heartbreaking losses in next two games

FALL BASEBALL NOTEBOOKWhat Vanderbilt baseball's Tim Corbin is saying about freshman studs, Sam Hliboki

TRUE FRESHMAN REPORTVanderbilt football: How true freshmen have performed so far

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on Twitter @aria_gerson.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: AJ Swann injury update: Vanderbilt QB should play vs. South Carolina