Georgia football injury report for season opener vs. Oregon
The 2022 College Football season is underway and it’s almost time for Georgia to begin it’s National Championship defense. It’ll start with a Chick-Fil-A Kickoff matchup vs. Oregon (3:30 p.m. ET on ABC) inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The Bulldogs are currently favored by 17 points over the Ducks, who are coached by former UGA defensive coordinator Dan Lanning. Kirby Smart’s team enters this game fairly healthy, at least when it comes to veteran players. Below we take a look at just how healthy with the injury report as we know it.
OUT…
WR Arian Smith (ankle): The fastest player on UGA’s roster can’t seem to dodge the injury bug. He suffered an ankle injury during preseason camp that required surgery and hasn’t yet returned. Georgia needs to get the speedster healthy as soon as possible.
RB Andrew Paul (knee): The late addition to Georgia’s 2022 class was pushing for a spot in the rotation before suffering a torn ACL in the second and final preseason scrimmage. Paul had surgery to repair that injury and will miss the entire 2022 season.
ILB C.J. Washington (neck): We don’t know when Washington might make a return to the football field. The true freshman suffered a neck injury during spring practice and while we’re told that he’s doing well, he hasn’t been on the practice field since.
DOUBTFUL…
OL Jacob Hood (lower body): The mammoth offensive lineman has been banged up to some extent since spring drills and maybe before that. He missed spring practice with a foot injury and has had a tough time staying healthy this preseason.
QUESTIONABLE…
DB Tykee Smith (knee): The ex-West Virginia standout has had horrible luck on the injury front since transferring to UGA. He sustained a foot injury during 2021 preseason camp and barely got healthy before tearing his ACL, knocking him out for the rest of that season. Smith is still battling that injury and we’re not sure whether or not he’ll be able to go in this one.
OL Earnest Greene (hamstring): The former four-star prospect was in the thick of Georgia’s left guard battle early on in camp but a hamstring ailment has hampered his development. He didn’t participate in the second scrimmage and it’s not yet clear whether or not he’ll be available for his first college game.
PROBABLE…
RB Kendall Milton (hamstring): The talented junior didn’t get much, if any, scrimmage work because of the soft-tissue injury but we’re told that was mainly for precaution. Seeing as how he has plenty of experience and has been back practicing since last week, we expect him to go.
WR De’Nylon Morrissette (knee): A hyperextended knee slowed the true freshman down during the middle portion of preseason camp. Those missed reps probably kept him from being in the receiver rotation but he has been able to return to practice.
TE Brett Seither (back): After spending some practice time in a black, non-contact jersey, Seither has been action for several practices. He should be good to go.
WR Mekhi Mews (shoulder): The walk-on pass catcher and special teamer has been brought up several times by Smart. He’s expected to be available for the Ducks.
ILB Trezmen Marshall (calf): A few different injuries have slowed Marshall down since he arrived in Athens but the latest doesn’t seem as if it’ll cause him to miss time. He should be a part of the inside linebacker rotation, playing early and often.
ILB Rian Davis (quadriceps): If it weren’t for bad luck on the injury front, Davis would have none at all. He arrived at UGA with a knee injury and it hasn’t gotten any easier since. Still, he should be available if called upon against Oregon.
DE Tramel Walthour (undisclosed): We aren’t sure what Walthour has been dealing with but Smart recently mentioned that he has been banged up. Smart also mentioned that he has been back in action of late.
WR C.J. Smith (undisclosed): The speedy freshman missed UGA’s second preseason scrimmage. He was working off to the side while it was going on. We don’t know the specifics but it sounds like he’ll be able to play.
