No. 1 Georgia is certainly not at full strength headed into the top-15 matchup with No. 11 Kentucky this weekend.
The Bulldogs have been dealing with a multitude of injuries since fall camp and were down 12 players in last week’s 34-10 win at No. 18 Auburn.
Starting quarterback J.T. Daniels is still nursing a lat injury which has held him out since the second quarter of the Vanderbilt matchup on Sept. 15.
Daniels has been taking an increasing amount of reps each week, signaling a return in the near future.
Starting corner Ameer Speed (ankle) and running back Kenny McIntosh (hamstring) did not make the trip to Alabama, while receivers Jermaine Burton (groin) and Arian Smith (shin) didn’t see action versus the Tigers.
Preseason All-American left tackle Jamaree Salyer went down during the game with an ankle injury and safety Christopher Smith went out with a separated shoulder. Coach Kirby Smart said both could have returned if needed, but they have been limited in practice this week.
There is some good news, however, defensive back Tykee Smith covered kickoffs and played a few snaps at safety versus Auburn. It was the first time the West Virginia transfer took the field as a Bulldog.
Smart gave an update on the growing list of injured Bulldogs on Tuesday, including an optimistic take on the status of receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint.
“…Ameer Speed doesn’t look like he’s gonna be able to make it back this week. Dom (Dominick Blaylock) still not back,” Smart said. “Rosemy I think looks good this week, he’s taken a lot of reps he’s been working like I said, I thought he looked good in warm ups the other day…”
“Jermaine Burton’s done well and worked, repped and he hasn’t taken the volume that he would normally take, but he’s hitting his speeds, so feel good about him. There’s so many I can’t even think of rest. Chris Smith’s been able to practice, he’s in a black jersey – he’s not contact right now – but he’s moving good, and staying in shape. Jamaree (Salyer) is kinda the same way, he’s conditioning and working out and watching the periods and I think he’s going to be good, but he’s not able to take all his reps.”
The Bulldogs have been able to play well without many of its star players, which is a testament to just how deep this team is in 2021.
UGA will face one of its toughest tests yet when the Wildcats come to Athens on Saturday afternoon. Here’s an updated injury report ahead of the game.
