Kirby Smart on no limitations for Branson Robinson: 'It's not a shock to me'

The Georgia Bulldogs have running back Branson Robinson back without limitations. That might be a surprise to some, but not to head coach Kirby Smart.

This comes after he missed the entire 2023 season with a ruptured patellar tendon that he suffered in the Fall Camp for that season. It was a long recovery to get to this point, but he put in the work and now he’s going to put in the work to contribute to the Georgia offense.

“I don’t know what the number of months is,” Kirby Smart said during Fall Camp. “It seems like it’s nearly a year because it happened preseason last year. So, it’s not a shock to me that he’s able to start and go without limitations.”

As a freshman in 2022, Robinson played in 12 games. He had 68 carries for 330 yards and three touchdowns during that season. Now, Smart wants to ease him back into the offense.

“The load management is critical because you can’t take someone who hasn’t done everything and just throw him into everything,” Smart said. “So, we have to be smart about that, but it’s certainly promising.”

Kirby Smart went on to explain that there are major parts of the offense that Branson Robinson needs to relearn now ahead of the season. Because of that, Georgia will take its time with him even though there’s no limitations on him.

“I thought going into, I forget what practice it was he got injured last year, but he was having a very good camp. He looked really good and I remember thinking guy was ready to have a great season, a great camp. Then, he has to go back. You forget the blitz pickups. You forget all the things that he missed out on that he doesn’t get a chance to do,” Smart said.

“He’ll be doing that now and I know he’s looking forward to it. We’re excited to get him out there.”

Kirby Smart identifies Georgia players impacted by injuries entering fall camp

Entering Fall Camp, Kirby Smart broke down the Georgia players who are currently being impacted by injuries.

“In terms of injuries and things we have coming into camp, we’ve got some guys that are banged up from the summer. Warren Brinson is dealing with an Achilles tendon, so he’ll be in and out. It’s the opposite one of the one he had spring. But it’s not long [the recovery time]; we injected it and then he should be back shortly,” Smart said.

“Marcus Harrison dealing with a stress reaction on his foot; should be back shortly. Jordan Hall has a tibia stress fracture that we ended up having to do surgery on. We expect a full recovery; he’ll be back hopefully by the first game, but he will be close. Ty [Tyrion] Ingram is coming back from an injury that he’s dealt with. He’s not 100%, but he’s close. Smael [Mondon Jr.] is able to do some stuff not everything. But he’s almost back. Chris Peal had a labral repair in the spring; he’ll be limited a little bit. Branson [Robinson] we start practice without limitations, but we will have some load management with him. And then, Cole Speer dealing with a little bit of mid foot sprain.”