Kirby Smart provides update on Warren Brinson, Mykel Williams injuries

Ahead of Georgia’s Week 2 contest against Tennessee Tech, head coach Kirby Smart shared brief updates on a number of injured Bulldogs, including a pair of key defenders: linebacker/edge rusher Mykel Williams and defensive lineman Warren Brinson.

Both players suffered injuries in the season-opening win against Clemson on Saturday. And they are at different stages of recovery and ability to participate in practice as of Tuesday, according to Smart.

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“Warren did some things,” Smart said of Tuesday’s practice. “Was out there, moved around pretty good. I would say that Joenel [Aguero]’s ahead of Warren. But Warren’s got a shot. Mykel’s out there, watching our guys, doing rehab, been in all the walkthroughs and things, but he’s not participating.”

Williams suffered a Grade 2 ankle sprain against the Tigers. And though he managed to try and play through the injury for spurts on Saturday, he evidently needs some time to rest and heal the injury.

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Brinson left the game early and was later seen with a wrap around his lower leg and ankle. Smart said after the game that Brinson had suffered a calf contusion. Given his assessment of Brinson’s participation in practice, it seems Smart is keen on Brinson making it into the lineup for Saturday against Tennessee Tech.

Smart also addressed the health of defensive back Joenel Aguero, who sat out of the opener with an injury. Smart seemed hopeful that Aguero will be ready to go for Saturday.

“It’s a soft tissue injury,” Smart said. “Joenel practiced, did everything today. I wouldn’t say he was 100% but he practiced and did everything.” 

Smart demurred on commenting on Trevor Etienne’s status

As Georgia gets ready to take on Tennessee Tech this week, the big question remains the status of Trevor Etienne. He didn’t play in the opener against Clemson, although Smart wouldn’t confirm it was a suspension related to an offseason DUI.

As for whether the Florida transfer will play on Saturday, Smart’s answer remained the same as it was last week. He declined comment on whether Etienne would be on the field or the length of his suspension.

“Again, we don’t talk about it,” Smart said. “It’s not something that I share or talk about. Respectfully, respect your question.”

Smart was later asked why he doesn’t comment on potential suspensions. He said the goal is to “defend” his players and avoid making more headlines.

“It’s not gamesmanship at all for me – it’s a kid,” Smart said. “It’s a kid, his family. When recruits come in my room, they say, we respect the way you handle things because a kid takes enough drug-through-the-mud headlines, everybody puts it out there. And then nobody knows if it’s wrong or it gets dropped or any of that. They don’t do that.

“I want to defend the kid. To discuss it again and say it again, then it’s another whole headline out there. It’s not gamesmanship in any way, shape or form for me. It’s just, I don’t want that for the kid. I don’t want to have to go through that again. That’s why I don’t discuss it.”

Etienne was arrested in March on four charges – driving under the influence of alcohol, reckless driving, failure to maintain lane and affixing materials that reduce the visibility from windows and/or windshield. He posted a $1,883 bond and was released less than an hour after he was booked.

The charges were dropped in July as part of a plea deal. However, Georgia athletics policy said Etienne still had to serve a suspension for the arrest, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. During Saturday’s game, Molly McGrath also said she spoke with Smart, who said it was “not necessarily” a one-game suspension for Etienne.