Kirby Smart shares latest on Georgia’s injured players ahead of SEC Championship Game
By Andrew Olson
Published:
Facing Alabama’s dominant defensive front, Georgia hopes to be able to start its five best offensive lineman. In Friday’s SEC Championship Game coaches press conference, Kirby Smart’s update on three injured Bulldogs, including two linemen, was positive, but offered no guarantees.
On the status of redshirt sophomore OL Ben Cleveland, Smart said it would be a game-time decision. Earlier in the week, the Georgia coach told reporters that Cleveland is “not 100 percent” but “fighting to get back.” The junior guard fractured his fibula, but the injury did not require surgery.
Sophomore LB Monty Rice, dealing with an ankle injury, practiced this week, but has been limited. Rice missed the final two regular-season games. He was seen using crutches on the UGA sideline Saturday for the Georgia Tech game, but no longer sporting a boot. Like Cleveland, Rice is expected to be a game-time decision.
Freshman OL Cade Mays, who has been dealing with a shoulder injury, was given an assessment similar to Rice: practicing, but limited.
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.
