Georgia opened the 2021 season with a win over Clemson, in spite of the fact it was missing numerous key players due to injuries. When the Bulldogs get healthier, they should only get better.
Head coach Kirby Smart updated the status of several injured players while speaking to the media (including Dawg Post) on Tuesday:
- Smart said that junior wide receiver George Pickens (torn ACL) is rehabbing and running in straight lines and will be visiting orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews for a checkup visit. However, Smart is unsure when — and if — Pickens will play this season.
- Redshirt sophomore wide receiver Dominick Blaylock has been cleared for contact, Smart said, but he isn’t ready for game action. Smart compared it to JT Daniels’ situation in 2020, when he didn’t play for the Bulldogs until November.
- Like Blaylock, junior wide receiver Kearis Jackson has been practicing, but he isn’t 100 percent and may be slightly behind Blaylock at this point, according to Smart.
While the Bulldogs’ defense dominated in the season opener, their offense showed that there’s room for improvement. They had 256 total yards and committed 2 turnovers. Georgia’s only offensive points came on Jack Podlesny’s 22-yard field goal late in the third quarter.
But if some of these injured wide receivers can return soon, it will give Daniels more playmakers to throw to and should help the Bulldogs put up better numbers.
In the meantime, Georgia will look to begin the season 2-0 when it hosts UAB for its home opener on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2.
Jake Rill contributes to news coverage for Saturday Down South. He has covered the SEC since 2016.
