Ladd McConkey has yet to play for the Georgia Bulldogs in 2023 as the standout wide receiver has dealt with a back injury.

McConkey led all Georgia wideouts in 2022 with 58 receptions for 762 yards and 7 touchdowns, second on the team in receiving production to Brock Bowers. Kirby Smart has previously stated that McConkey’s experience as a 2-year contributor has been sorely missed in the early going of the 2023 campaign.

Smart was asked Tuesday what he has seen from McConkey as the star receiver has returned to practice. As far as McConkey’s status for Auburn, Smart said he does not know yet.

“He did some things today,” Smart told reporters when asked about McConkey. “He got to practice. He didn’t do much Monday. He ran routes and caught balls, and then today he got in plays and ran routes. I saw him some, but I didn’t get to see enough to really judge it.

“I’m going to go watch the tape of the periods I wasn’t over there with them and see what he looks like. We’re just trying to progress him back slowly, whether it’s this week in a role or whether it’s, you know, the future. We’re not trying to rush him back.”

Bowers is once against Georgia’s leading pass-catcher with 22 catches for 256 yards and 2 touchdowns. Dominic Lovett leads UGA wide receivers in receptions with 17 catches for 169 yards. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint leads the wideouts in receiving yards with 182 on 11 catches.

No. 1 Georgia is currently favored by 14.5 points on the road at Auburn, according to the latest DraftKings odds. The game will air at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS.

Andrew Olson

Andrew writes about sports to fund his love of live music and collection of concert posters. He strongly endorses the Hall of Fame campaigns of Fred Taylor and Andruw Jones.