Skip to main content
Join
Team Avatar
Georgia

Kirby Smart provides injury update on Xavier Truss

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•11/02/22•

griffin_mcveigh

On3 image
ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 24: Georgia Bulldogs Offensive Linemen Xavier Truss (73) run blocks during the college football game between the Kent State Golden Flashes and the Georgia Bulldogs on September 24, 2022, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

College football’s Game of the Year will take place in Athens on Saturday, with No. 3 Georgia playing host to No. 1 Tennessee. For head coach Kirby Smart, playing in a game of this magnitude is nothing new, especially in SEC play. He is just hoping to get a key offensive lineman back in Xavier Truss ahead of time.

Smart provided an update on Truss, saying the starting left guard is “banged up” with a turf toe. Truss has been able to get onto the field for extra points but not offensive snaps. Georgia will practice later on Wednesday and Smart says Truss’ status will be based on that.

CLICK HERE to subscribe for FREE to the On3 YouTube channel

“He’s been banged up,” Smart said during the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “He’s been able to get up there, move around, and work out some. Hopefully, we’ll be able to use him on Saturday. You know, turf toe. If he’s going to be able to play, we’ll find out today.”

Truss is in his first year as a starter for Georgia, with the official website saying he has started in all eight games. The upcoming Tennessee game should be one he’s familiar with, really breaking out against the Volunteers during last season’s national championship-winning run.

Kirby Smart provides general update on offensive line

Smart was able to get another rivalry win over Florida but at a certain cost. Truss is not the offensive lineman going through injury problems, with two others being mentioned during Saturday’s post-game press conference.

“We were getting dinged up,” Smart said. “Warren (McClendon)‘s shoulder was messing with him. Truss had a toe, but he still played. He played on the field for PAT. So I don’t know how severe that is. (Amarius) Mims‘ knee, but I think he’s gonna be fine. It’s a slight MCL. Not like Jalen (Carter)‘s, but again, you don’t know the answer to these things until tomorrow or further.”

Even with its offensive line banged up, Georgia held the Gators without a sack on Saturday. They also paved the way for 239 yards rushing on six yards per carry.

However, a much more difficult task awaits them next week when the No. 1 Volunteers travel to Athens. Tennessee and Georgia rank as the top two offenses in the SEC, so Smart will need his offensive line to be as healthy as possible to keep up in what should be a fast-paced game.