South Carolina's Clowney returns to practice

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina All-American Jadeveon Clowney has returned to practice after missing the past two sessions with a bruised shoulder.

Kim Kim Foster-Tobin

Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney warms up before practice. USC had it's first practice of the season Friday evening Aug. 2, 2013 at the USC practice field on Bluff Rd. (AP Photo/The State, Kim Kim Foster-Tobin)

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Defensive end Jadeveon Clowney warms up before practice. USC had it's first practice of the season Friday evening Aug. 2, 2013 at the USC practice field on Bluff Rd. (AP Photo/The State, Kim Kim Foster-Tobin)

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Clowney sat out Saturday's scrimmage and Monday night's practice before returning to the field on Tuesday. South Carolina did not practice Sunday. Gamecocks defensive coordinator Lorenzo Ward had said that Clowney's injury was not serious.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier may have sped up Clowney's return to the field, saying that if the defensive end's shoulder didn't show improvement soon, the Gamecocks might have to go without him in the opener against North Carolina on Aug. 29.

Clowney had 13 sacks last season and was named the Southeastern Conference's defensive player of the year. He finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy balloting behind winner quarterback Johnny Manziel of Texas A&M.

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