Amarius Mims sidelined by ankle injury in SEC Championship Game

Early in the SEC Championship Game injuries have hit the Georgia sideline, with right tackle Amarius Mims aggravating an ankle injury that has plagued him this season.

According to an update from CBS sideline reporter Jenny Dell, Mims is out of the game for now.

“I just got word that Bulldogs right tackle Amarius Mims, he’s currently out of the game with a left ankle injury,” Dell reported live on the air. “I’ll try to get more information, guys.”

Mims, who has been a regular starter for the Bulldogs, was injured with a high-ankle sprain back in September. He underwent a tight-rope surgery to repair the ankle and returned to the lineup on Nov. 11 against Ole Miss.

An Amarius Mims loss would be a significant one for Georgia, which has relied on its dominant offensive line to protect quarterback Carson Beck and establish a powerful running game.

Kirby Smart reveals key to the game

Kirby Smart provided some insight into what he believes will be the deciding factor in Saturday’s SEC title game.

When Smart’s Georgia Bulldogs take on the Alabama Crimson Tide on Saturday, it’ll be another chapter in the rivalry between the best of the SEC over the last couple of seasons. It’s always come down to the small details, and that’s what Smart is expecting in Atlanta.

“Who handles those momentum swings, and the line-of-scrimmage,” Smart revealed, asked what the deciding factor in Saturday’s game will be during an appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay. “I’d like to say explosive plays. Both of us, when you look at explosive plays, the guy that’s won the explosive plays has usually won the game, that’s a big indicator.

“But who manages those momentum swings better may be the one who sticks it out.”

Alas, Georgia has been able to handle both of those things on their way to back-to-back national titles. The Bulldogs have a chance to make history this season, and with the Crimson Tide standing in their way, we’ll see if Kirby Smart and company can survive and advance beyond Alabama.

Georgia led Alabama 7-3 at the end of the first quarter.

On3’s Steve Samra also contributed to this report.