COLUMBIA, S.C. -- Injured South Carolina quarterback Connor Shaw could play when the 13th-ranked Gamecocks face Kentucky on Saturday night.

At least coach Steve Spurrier believes he could.

Shaw, who injured his shoulder Saturday against UCF, was expected to be out up to three weeks. But Shaw practiced Monday night and Spurrier said he watched the QB throw the ball about 60 yards. If his progress continues, Shaw could start when the Gamecocks (3-1, 1-1 Southeastern Conference) host Kentucky (1-3, 0-1).

Spurrier had no explanation for Shaw's quick return other than maybe the QB's injury was not as serious as initially believed.

South Carolina had feared that QB Connor Shaw would miss 2-3 weeks after suffering a shoulder injury Saturday. Now, he may play this week against Kentucky. AP Photo/John Raoux

"Our trainer had him out two to three weeks," Spurrier said. "You'll have to ask our trainers how he made such a miraculous recovery."

Shaw left the UCF game early, was taken to the locker room and returned with his right, throwing arm in a sling and ice on what looked like a badly damaged shoulder. But like several other times in the senior's college career, it appears that Shaw will shake off any pain and get back to work.

He had sustained an injury to the same shoulder in the 2012 season opener at Vanderbilt, yet returned late in the game to lead a go-ahead touchdown drive in South Carolina's 17-13 victory.

"I think we all know that he's the toughest guy a lot of us have seen," said backup quarterback Dylan Thompson, who was expected to start the next two games.

Thompson came in and led a second-half rally as South Carolina went from trailing 10-0 to grabbing a 28-10 lead. UCF almost pulled off a comeback of its own, drawing within a field goal with two fourth-quarter touchdowns.

Still, the Gamecocks missed Shaw. He is fourth in SEC pass efficiency and has thrown six touchdowns without an interception.