Kirby Smart says Georgia starter could miss Week 1 game
By Derek Hryn
Published:
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart isn’t ready to confirm whether punter Brett Thorson will be available for the Bulldogs’ Week 1 game against Marshall.
Thorson, a senior from Australia and 2024 Ray Guy Award finalist, tore his ACL and MCL in last year’s SEC Championship win over Texas. Though he punts with his right leg, the left-knee injury has slowed his return.
“He has continued to kick,” Smart said Monday. “I don’t know if he’ll be kicking in this game. That hasn’t been decided yet. … It’ll be one of those things that we decide by the end of the week.”
The update keeps the situation uncertain heading into Georgia‘s opener on Aug. 30 at Sanford Stadium. Special teams coordinator Kirk Benedict said earlier this month that Thorson remains on track in his recovery, but Smart’s latest comments suggest the staff is still weighing whether to risk him so soon.
If Thorson cannot go, redshirt freshman Drew Miller would be in line to start. Miller, who punted in the Sugar Bowl last year while Thorson was sidelined, handled live punting during Georgia’s recent scrimmage.
For now, the Bulldogs will continue evaluating their All-American candidate through practice sessions this week. It’s possible that fans won’t know until game day if Thorson takes the field for the Bulldogs.
