The Georgia Bulldogs were without several key players as the Dawgs opened the season against UT Martin.
Georgia linebacker Smael Mondon had a limited role in the season opener due to an injury. Staying in the linebackers room, E.J. Lightsey was absent from the UT Martin game.
Buy Bulldogs TicketsWide receivers Ladd McConkey and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint both sat out the UT Martin game, but for different reasons.
Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart provided updates on several Bulldogs ahead of the Sept. 9 game against Ball State.
Linebacker Smael Mondon
Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Smael Mondon, a projected starter, saw limited snaps in the season opener against UT Martin. Mondon showcased his speed and recorded one tackle, but is working his way back from a foot injury.
Kirby Smart updated Mondon’s status to the media.
He looks good out there and we expect him to be able to play. He was cleared to go this week and it was one of those we were going to be safe as we could.
Mondon is close to returning to 100%. He is a key player for the Georgia defense, so it makes sense that the coaching staff did not want to rush him back.
Running back Daijun Edwards
Daijun Edwards is expected to be Georgia’s lead back in receiving situations in 2023. He’ll have a larger role since Branson Robinson is out for the season.
Daijun, we think he could have played in that game. He practiced. He warmed up. He did everything leading up to the game. He had this injury before. I can’t remember if it was Vanderbilt or maybe Florida during the off week last year.
Edwards should be able to play against Ball State. Georgia is concerned about its depth at running back, so the Bulldogs are not expected to rush him back.
Wide receiver Ladd McConkey
Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Ladd McConkey sat out Georgia’s season opener with a back injury.
Ladd, he’s day-to-day. Thought he might be able to go last week and he wasn’t. It was really a game-time decision.
McConkey’s injury does not sound to serious according to Kirby Smart. However, he is a critical piece of Georgia’s offense, so his injury is one that fans should keep a close eye on.
Linebacker E.J. Lightsey
Georgia linebacker E.J. Lightsey missed Georgia’s season opener. Lightset is expected to be a special teams player and depth piece for the Bulldogs in 2023.
He’s had some shoulder pain, some back pain from a high school injury, and he’s been fighting that. We’re hopeful to get him back.
Wide receiver Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint
Kirby Smart clarified that Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint missed the season opener, but is fully healthy. Rosemy-Jacksaint had an offseason speeding incident.
Marcus is going to be available to play. The number one think we miss is leadership.
Kirby Smart really likes Rosemy-Jacksaint’s leadership and his blocking.
I haven’t been around a receiver room that actually cares as much about blocking as these guys do, and they do that because their leader has that personality
We project Rosemy-Jacksaint to be Georgia’s No. 2 wide receiver in 2023. The Dawgs have a deep receivers room.
