Kirby Smart optimistic about injured Bulldogs, hopes to be ‘full tilt’ for season opener
By Jake Rill
Published:
Georgia may have several key players who are dealing with injuries, but Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart remains optimistic. He believes the team’s condition is improving, and he thinks it will continue to do so leading up to the 2021 season opener.
“We are hopeful to get all of those guys back soon. That is the plan with really all of the guys that are injured — we don’t have an injury where there are guys out for a long amount of time,” Smart told the media after Saturday’s scrimmage. “We are hopeful to get all of those guys back. I mean, every one of them are day to day. I mean, some of the guys you mentioned can practice now and are practicing.
“Each one is a different situation, but I expect to be full tilt when Clemson comes, when it comes time to play them. We had more guys today than we did at the last scrimmage, we are in a good position.”
Among the Georgia players dealing with injuries are wide receivers George Pickens and Dominick Blaylock (recovering from ACL surgeries), as well as tight ends Darnell Washington and John FitzPatrick and defensive back Tykee Smith, each of whom is dealing with a foot ailment.
If any of those players are in jeopardy of missing the opener, Smart isn’t making it known. There are still two weeks to go, though, so the injured Bulldogs have time to continue to recover to try to be ready to go against the Tigers.
Georgia and Clemson will face off in Charlotte on Sept. 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
