Kirby Smart provides update on George Pickens injury status

Heading into the bye week, the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs hope to reach another level. With time to reflect and recover, head coach Kirby Smart addressed the latest injuries and potential returns.

Among the many updates, Smart provided the latest glimpse at the remarkable recovery of wide receiver George Pickens, who tore his ACL in the spring.

“Dr. Andrews, Ron Courson, myself, George’s parents have all been involved in that conversation,” Smart said Tuesday. “It’s not something we’re open to share. I’m just hopeful he’s able to get back to 100 percent, that’s our concern.”

Despite Smart’s reluctance to provide a timeline, fans are growing excited about the potential comeback story. With one month left, plus a potential run through the postseason, there are signs of hope.

“There’s a long-term plan there, but I don’t disclose timelines on that kind of stuff,” said Smart. Probably the week of the game we’ll know more but we did a walk-through yesterday and he was able to do that. He can get signals and get calls, he’s done a tremendous job working in recovery.”

The return of George Pickens from ACL surgery would provide the Georgia offense with a needed boost. The wide receiver core has been decimated by injuries, forcing inexperienced players into action with a backup quarterback.

Now 7-0, it is difficult to poke holes in the Bulldogs’ attack, but more wide receivers never hurt anyone. Pickens has 1,240 yards and 14 touchdowns over two seasons. He averages 14.6 yards per reception and emerged as one of the top wide receivers in the SEC as an underclassman.

More on Georgia’s offense

Although Georgia’s dominance has come in large part from its defense, which by any standard ranks as the nation’s best, its offense is pulling its weight. The Bulldogs average 430 yards per game of total offense, good for 6.74 yards per play, and have scored 31 offensive touchdowns through seven games.

All the while, Georgia has done it in large part without starting quarterback JT Daniels, who’s missed a fair share of time with injuries and has been relieved by Stetson Bennett. The Bulldogs have also been without wide receiver Dominick Baylock, who has been sidelined with a knee injury of his own. And of course, Arik Gilbert, one of the most highly-anticipated transfers, has yet to play a snap for Georgia.