Kirby Smart’s hiring as Georgia’s head coach has certainly created a level of excitement and optimism. But the Bulldogs’ current running back situation might be a serious enough scenario to curb that enthusiasm.

With Nick Chubb already recovering from a knee injury, Sony Michel – who rushed for 1,161 yards last season – broke his left forearm in an all-terrain vehicle accident two weeks ago. If neither Michel nor Chubb is ready for Georgia’s Sept. 3 season opener against North Carolina, senior Brendan Douglas could start.

As Chubb and Michel have emerged the last couple of seasons, Douglas’ production has diminished. His freshman season was his best, when he rushed 84 times for 345 yards and 3 touchdowns – all career highs.

Over the last two years, Douglas has gotten just 91 carries for 370 yards and 2 TDs. If Chubb and Michel don’t recover quickly enough, freshman Elijah Holyfield might serve as a potential fill-in as well.

Regarding the players who will block for Georgia’s running backs, there is good news and bad news. The fact that three starters return — left guard Isaiah Wynn, right tackle Greg Pyke and center Brandon Kublanow — is a positive, but how well Kendall Baker and Dyshon Sims will perform at left tackle and right guard, respectively, remains a big question mark.

Georgia might currently lack depth at running back, but that’s certainly not the case at quarterback. Smart, who has yet to make a decision on a starter, can go with fifth-year senior Greyson Lambert – who started all but one game last season — five-star recruit Jacob Eason or strong-armed junior Brice Ramsey.

The QB who gets the call will have viable targets in the passing game. Terry Godwin and Isaiah McKenzie both have the ability to make plays, and Jeb Blazevich, Isaac Nauta, Jordan Davis and Jackson Harris give the Bulldogs depth at tight end.

It will be interesting to see if Chubb/Michel’s availability for the opener against the Tar Heels influences Smart’s decision on a starting QB. If Smart starts someone other than his two studs at running back, it’s possible he might turn to one of his returning signal-callers simply because they already have collegiate experience, especially in the passing game, which they might have to focus on until Chubb and Michel recover.

For now, Smart isn’t tipping his hand. But you get the sense that he’s keeping his fingers crossed that either Chubb or Michel heals as quickly as possible.

“There’s more to this season than the first game,” Smart recently told macon.com. “We’re not putting all our eggs in the first game basket. We have to figure out who will be our best leader and give us our best opportunity to win. And I don’t think that’s dictated by who the back is or if there’s a back healthy, or two backs healthy.”