The matchup for the SEC title is set. No. 1 Georgia (12-0, 8-0 SEC) will take on No. 8 Alabama (11-1, 8-0 SEC) for the conference crown on Saturday in Atlanta. Kickoff is slated for 4 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on CBS.
Both teams enter the matchup banged up. Alabama starting running back Jase McClelan will miss the game due to a foot injury suffered in the Iron Bowl last week, per a report from Bama Central’s Austin Hannon.
On the flip side, the Bulldogs are working to get back multiple key players back who missed the Georgia Tech game. Starters Tate Ratledge (knee), Ladd McConkey (ankle) and Brock Bowers (ankle), along with wideout Rara Thomas (foot), were expected to take the field after being held out last week, but comments on Thursday by head coach Kirby Smart indicate there is still more to find out regarding their injuries.
When asked about the injured offensive starters, Smart replied: “I’m trying to figure that out myself.”
“Yeah, great question because I’m trying to figure that out myself. I don’t have a lot more answers now than I had on Monday. They have not been able to do a lot. Each one has worked kind of independently. Tate has done some drill work, some 11-on-11 stuff, Brock has sprinkled in some of that. The other guys have been able to run and do some things.
But we’re going to find out today (Thursday) what their availability is, to be honest. It’s tough because it bothers me that people have said out there that we sat these guys for the last game. That wasn’t the case at all. They couldn’t go.
I don’t know if they’re going to be able to go in this game. It’s just unfortunate to have those kind of injuries, especially four starters on offense.”
Starting linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson hasn’t played since the Missouri game due to a fractured forearm and redshirt freshman Julian Humphrey hasn’t played since Ole Miss due to a shoulder injury.
Here’s our updated Georgia injury report:
TE Brock Bowers
Injury: Ankle
Status: Questionable
Bowers didn’t play last week versus Georgia Tech due to soreness in his surgically repaired ankle. According to Smart, Bowers did some 11-on-11 work this week in practice, but his status is still in doubt.
OG Tate Ratledge
Injury: Knee
Status: Questionable
Ratledge exited the Tennessee game and missed last week due to a knee injury that was confirmed to be a bone bruise. The good news is Ratledge has been practicing, albeit in a limited capacity.
WR Ladd McConkey
Injury: Ankle
Status: Questionable
McConkey suffered an ankle injury versus Ole Miss that limited him to a handful of snaps at Tennessee and caused him to miss last week.
WR Rara Thomas
Injury: Foot
Status: Questionable
Thomas caught a pass versus Tennessee before exiting with a foot injury. He didn’t play last week, and his status is similar to that of the other aforementioned offensive starters.
LB Jamon Dumas-Johnson
Injury: Arm
Status: Questionable
Dumas-Johnson suffered a fractured forearm versus Missouri and didn’t play in the last three games. The severity of the injury is unknown, and Smart referred to is status as week-to-week on Monday.
CB Julian Humphrey
Injury: Shoulder
Status: Questionable
Humphrey hasn’t played since the Ole Miss game due to a shoulder injury. Smart described Humphrey’s status as week-to-week on Monday.
WR C.J. Smith
Injury: Knee
Status: Questionable
Smith hasn’t played since the Florida matchup due to a knee injury. Smart wasn’t clear on the timetable for the redshirt freshman’s return when ahead of the Tennessee game.
“C.J. has been dealing with a knee injury that has been bothering him,” Smart said. “He has had it off and on for a while. We are hoping to get him back soon.”
RB Branson Robinson
Injury: Knee
Status: Out for season
Robinson will miss the 2023 season due to a torn patella tendon suffered in fall camp. Smart was asked ahead of Ole Miss if Robinson will be cleared by spring practice.
“The closest thing we had was Rian Davis went through this the one year, and it’s a long, arduous process. I can’t answer that. I think he’ll probably be cleared, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to go through live tackling and everything.”
OLB Darris Smith
Status: Out (transfer)
