Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart provided several injury updates on banged up Bulldogs heading into Georgia’s Week 2 clash against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles.
Georgia’s projected starting star defender, Joenel Aguero, missed the Clemson game due to an injury in a surprise.
“Yeah, it’s a soft tissue injury. Joenel (Aguero) practiced and did everything today. I wouldn’t say he was 100%, but he practiced and did everything,” said Kirby Smart.
With Aguero out against Clemson, the Bulldogs played safety Malaki Starks at star. Georgia also gave more snaps to safeties Dan Jackson and KJ Bolden.
Georgia defensive lineman Warren Brinson came into the Clemson game as questionable due to an Achilles injury, but left the game early due to an ankle issue.
“Warren (Brinson) did some things, was out there, moved around pretty good. I would say that Joenel’s ahead of Warren, but Warren’s got a shot,” said Smart.
Georgia’s defensive line depth is an issue right now. Brinson is banged up along with defensive lineman/outside linebacker Mykel Williams. Additionally, key defensive linemen Jordan Hall and Xzavier McLeod missed the Clemson game.
“(Williams) out there, you know, watching our guys, doing rehab, being in all the walk-throughs and things, but he’s not participating in them,” said Smart. Williams suffered an ankle injury against Clemson.
Georgia does not need to rush Williams or anyone back for the Tennessee Tech game, but the Bulldogs have their first SEC road game in Week 3 at Kentucky ahead of the Dawgs’ bye week.
“They were running today, flying around, sideline running, not practicing, but running, straight line, cutting,” said Smart of Hall and McLeod. “I’m fired up. I mean, Sunday or Monday, I looked out my office and Jordan (Hall) was out there smoking it across the field, and excited. He was up at 5:30 in the morning, game day, rehabbing on his own, beat Ron (Courson) in there, riding a bike in Atlanta. I mean, he is a different dude when it comes to rehab. He has attacked it and dove all in.”
Hall is recovering from a pair of stress fractures. Smart notes that he is ahead of McLeod, who transferred to Georgia from South Carolina this offseason.
“I think he’s probably a little ahead of McLeod because (he’s) dealing with different muscle tissue-type injury,” added Smart. “He also hasn’t really ever had a significant injury. But they’re both pushing.”
McLeod is recovering from an abdominal strain. Georgia plays in its home opener against Tennessee Tech on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. ET.
