Kirby Smart updates status of starting QB JT Daniels

Despite warming up for the Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday, quarterback JT Daniels is still questionable heading into Week 6 of the season. Head coach Kirby Smart provided a status update on Monday, which indicates Daniels is still in a healing process.

The Bulldog QB won’t throw at practice on Monday but Smart said the staff is “hopeful” that he can throw on Tuesday and through the rest of the week. Daniels was able to throw at practice last week as well but still felt too much pain to face the Razorbacks.

“He’s practicing, he’s doing everything but throwing,” Smart said. “The biggest thing he’s got to do is rest and recover and heal. We’re hopeful he’ll be able to throw Tuesday, Wednesday, like he was able to do last week some days.

“There’s a lot more to quarterback than just throwing the ball. He does a lot of that stuff well and he’ll do those things today.”

Daniels has dealt with a grade 1 lat strain for a week, which is unrelated to the Week Two core injury that kept him out against UAB in September.

“There are people who think they can fix it really fast, Dak (Prescott)’s was much more extreme than what JT’s going through,” Smart said. “It is what it is and I think it’s just going to be a time thing. It’s really, No. 1, pain tolerance, and, No. 2, can you get it to heal so that it’s not a nagging, long-term injury.”

JT Daniels’ lat injury was aggravated before the Arkansas game, ruling him out.

Since the initial core injury, Daniels has played most of the game against South Carolina and played one half against Vanderbilt before leaving with the rest of the starters to rest.

In his three early appearances, Daniels has thrown for 569 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions. As the unquestioned offensive leader on the No. 2 team in the country, he provides a steady presence in the backfield and on the sideline.

Georgia’s been kicking teams up and down the field every week even without Daniels at the helm. The Bulldogs took down Arkansas in a shutout 37-0 on Saturday and remain the No. 2 program in the country.

Smart not focused on Daniels’ injury

Kirby Smart isn’t concerned about JT Daniels’ injury or his recovery time, confident, instead, in his other quarterbacks’ ability to lead his offense.

“I know this, the men in the locker room have confidence in whoever we put out there,” Smart said. “I know you all don’t believe what I say, I know you all say, ‘Oh that’s just coach-speak.’ We have confidence in our quarterbacks, a lot of confidence in Carson Beck. Brock Vandagriff goes in front of me every day.

“I’m very pleased with the quarterbacks we have … I’m not losing any sleep over it because it’s beyond our control. And Stetson Bennett is a really good quarterback. I keep saying that, and people don’t believe us. But he’s a really good quarterback.”

Stetson Bennett got the start for the Bulldogs versus Arkansas and the senior was called on to throw just 11 passes. He finished 7 for 11 with 72 total passing yards and no passing touchdowns. Smart’s squad instead ran all over the Hogs with 273 rushing yards and three scores. Versus UAB, Bennett threw for 288 yards and five first-half touchdowns.

More injury updates

Kirby Smart provided updates on several other Bulldogs on Monday leading up to the Auburn game.

Defensive back Tykee Smith is “still not 100%,” dealing with a foot injury.

Three Bulldog wide receivers are questionable for Week 6 action as well. WR Dom Blaylock (hamstring), WR Arian Smith (contusion) and WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (ankle) are working their way back on to the field.