Branson Robinson, Anthony Evans injury updates: Kirby Smart provides latest timeline for return

Game of the week in college football resides in Athens, with Georgia set to host Tennessee. Head coach Kirby Smart is certainly hoping to bounce back following Saturday’s loss to Ole Miss. Getting a few players back from injuries could help, mainly Anthony Evans and Branson Robinson.

Smart provided an update on Tuesday, beginning with Robinson. Despite getting back onto the practice field, it does not appear as if the running back is fully ready. Smart was hesitant to say Robinson is “a week away” but appears more likely to return against UMass.

“Branson is back out with us,” Smart said. “Moving around, running on the bike in pads. I don’t want to say he’s a week away, I honestly don’t know. But he’s getting closer.”

Robinson has not played since Oct. 12 against Mississippi State, missing the last three games plus a bye week. In six appearances, Robinson has rushed for 73 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries. Finding any kind of consistent run game has been difficult for Georgia this season, even with Robinson in the lineup.

Moving on to Evans, Smart sounded a little more optimistic. The GPS numbers appear to be being tracked and results are positive. Smart certainly hopes to get Evans back in time to face Tennessee between the hedges.

“He’s hit some good speed,” Smart said. “He’s running, he feels good, but we’re being real careful with it. It’s one of those deals where we hope to get him back.”

Oct. 19 against Texas is the last time Evans suited up for Georgia. His presence has not been made much in the offense, catching just nine passes for 88 yards. Evans really makes his mark in the return game, both on offense and defense.

Twenty total returns have resulted in 223 yards. The 118 punt return yards currently rank sixth in the SEC despite missing a couple of games, while the yards per punt return is No. 5 at 8.4.