Nolan Smith won’t be logging any snaps in Saturday’s SEC Championship Game, but he’ll be on the sideline with the No. 1 Bulldogs for their game against No. 14 LSU.

Despite a season-ending torn pectoral injury, Smith continues to play an important role for UGA as a team leader.

“I care so much about this place, this program,” Smith told CBS. “It’s more than just a ‘G’ on my chest.”

While some players check out while recovering from injury, Smith’s actions are noticed and appreciated by his teammates and head coach Kirby Smart.

“The selfish part of me said, ‘Yeah, I need to go focus on my recovery,’ but I feel like the part that I can play now is just supporting and being there on the sideline, pushing guys.”

Smith, who opted to return for a fourth season at Georgia instead of entering the 2022 NFL Draft, had 18 tackles before his October injury.

Smart, Smith and Georgia players discussed Smith’s leadership in a CBS feature, which can be viewed below: