Kirby Smart updates injuries after spring game

Injuries were plentiful for Georgia this spring. Luckily, the Bulldogs came out of the spring showcase with minimal injuries but had a handful of players miss the scrimmage due to previous ailments.

“Rara [Thomas] has some things he has to work on and we’re working on those things. He was with us and did some special team things but did not play on the offensive side of the ball,” head coach Kirby Smart said after the spring game. “When you go to Smael [Mondon] and Branson [Robinson], they’re both dealing with lower extremity injuries and the severity of that is still yet to really be determined. Both of those guys were unable to go today.”

Thomas, a WR transfer from Mississippi State, is expected to play a significant role in Smart’s offense this season while Robinson sits behind Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards in the running back room. Mondon was Georgia’s leading tackler (76 total) in 2022, and is expected to have an even stronger season this year.

Elsewhere, former five-star EDGE Marvin Jones Jr., LB Jalon Walker and S Dan Jackson all sustained injuries throughout the early offseason and did not participate in the spring game. Instead, Smart revealed another way they’ve been able to maintain production while staying off the field.

“They didn’t do much. I saw them do a lot of ab work, a lot of ropes, a lot of sit-ups, and a lot of getting yelled at by the microphone because I’m mad they’re not out there. They haven’t been able to do a lot. They all three take every walkthrough rep. They sit in every meeting. They pay attention, they hear your script, they make calls, they coach younger players.

“That’s the culture that’s created. Like hey man, you’re not in, you better coach the next guy up. They did that.”

None of the injuries are expected to be long-term but is frustrating to have to be sidelined for the only opportunity to play in front of fans this offseason. The next time they’ll be in uniform in a game-like situation in front of fans won’t come until the Bulldogs kick their season off against UT Martin on Sept. 2.

While his players disperse from spring football commitments and recover from injuries, Kirby Smart isn’t getting a break. It’s time to recruit. The transfer portal is now open — college free agents and high school recruits are looking to take offseason visits and Smart wants to add to the 14 newcomers he has already brought in through the portal since the season ended.