Both Ole Miss and South Carolina are dealing with hits to their defensive line rotation as the schools trudge toward the start of the 2009 season.
Gamecocks freshman defensive end Ronald Byrd has been lost for the season due to a knee injury. Byrd, who signed with South Carolina in 2008 but spent the year at Fork Union Military, suffered the injury during a scrimmage earlier in the week.
Rebels defensive tackle Justin Smith, on the other hand, will be out 6-8 weeks with a broken bone in his foot.
According to the Jackson Clarion-Ledger, head coach Houston Nutt hopes to have Smith back in time for their SEC opener against South Carolina on Sept. 24.
