Gamecocks LB Moore won't start opener vs. Texas A&M

Published Aug. 26, 2014 9:53 p.m. ET

foxsports

South Carolina linebacker Skai Moore, the team's leading tackler last season, won't start the season opener against Texas A&M on Thursday night after missing a treatment session for a shoulder injury.

Gamecocks defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward said sophomore Jonathan Walton would start over Moore, who led No. 9 South Carolina with 56 tackles and four interceptions as a freshman. Ward said the move was to make sure that Moore does what he's supposed to in the future.

Ward said Moore's injury would not keep him from playing early on in the season opener against the 21st-ranked Aggies.

Moore was a member of the Southeastern Conference's all-freshman team a year ago.

This is the first meeting between South Carolina and Texas A&M.