Kirby Smart explains what WR Ladd McConkey adds to Georgia's struggling offense

Georgia wide receiver Ladd McConkey appeared in his first game of the season on Saturday, playing a limited role as the Bulldogs pulled out a road win at Auburn. And head coach Kirby Smart still isn’t ready to say McConkey is back.

He might be in the lineup and able to play a handful of snaps, but the full-bore McConkey is still a ways away, Smart intimated, as the wideout deals with a back injury. Even still, his presence on the field for even a handful of plays has and will be beneficial for Georgia and quarterback Carson Beck, Smart said on the SEC coaches teleconference on Wednesday.

“It’s wonderful having him back because you get a wealth of experience, confidence. Carson really trusts him. He’s a great route runner. He understands zone and man. He’s a weapon. But as far as 100% having him back, that is still yet to be determined. We’re trying to figure that out as we go,” Smart said.

McConkey had four receptions for 38 yards in his season debut, including a long catch of 17 yards.

The overall offensive picture for the Bulldogs hasn’t been bad, but it’s been slow going at times, especially early in games. And against the two SEC opponents Georgia has faced to date, the Bulldogs have scored 24 and 27 points, respectively.

Getting some more juice in the passing game outside of Brock Bowers could be the final piece to help the Georgia offense move from effective to elite. But how and when that might happen for McConkey this season remains a mystery, even to Smart.

“Well, again, he wasn’t ‘back.’ He was in a role. He didn’t play, I don’t know — y’all probably know how many snaps he played better than I do. But he didn’t play a full load and I don’t know what that’s going to look like game-to-game,” Smart said.

Smart shared another injury update on Wednesday

Georgia linebacker EJ Lightsey hasn’t played since the season opener after suffering some shoulder and back pain stemming from an old high school injury.

Smart is hopeful to have the redshirt freshman back in practice soon, though he hasn’t been able to return full go just yet.

“He’s been a lot better the last two weeks, still not able to completely practice, but working his way back in,” Smart said Wednesday on an SEC teleconference call. “Should hopefully be able to be back out there and practicing in the next couple weeks.”

Lightsey saw action in four games as a reserve linebacker in 2022, his true freshman season. He finished his season with four tackles.

Prior to his arrival and enrollment at Georgia, Lightsey was a three-star recruit in the 2022 recruiting class. He checked in at No. 487 overall nationally, while ranking as the No. 49 linebacker in the class.