Georgia injury update: Kirby Smart optimistic on Dillon Bell, Anthony Evans
Georgia’s been a banged up football team for the last several week, and the Bulldogs remain that way entering a rivalry game against Georgia Tech. Christen Miller, Dillon Bell, Anthony Evans and a couple of running backs were discussed with UGA head coach Kirby Smart on Monday as he opened the week with the media. Here’s what he had to say…
The update started with Miller. The third-year defensive lineman exited Saturday’s game against UMass. Trainers tended to his right arm and he was quickly declared out with a shoulder injury over the press box microphone system. Smart didn’t know much after the game, just that he thought it had dislocated and it had been put back in. Monday, he shared that Georgia is “still trying to assess” the situation.
“He’s banged up. Didn’t do much yesterday. Don’t know what he’ll be able to do today,” Smart said. “Still trying to kind of assess. I didn’t get to see much yesterday. We weren’t in pads so we’ll find out more as the week goes.”
Wide receivers Dillon Bell (ankle) and Anthony Evans (hamstring) were next up on the injury report. Both have missed time recently with their respective injuries with neither playing in the win over the Minutemen. Bell got banged up the previous week against Tennessee while Evans missed Georgia’s games against Florida and Ole Miss before returning versus the Vols. Evans dressed out and went through warmups but did not play on Saturday while Bell was wearing a boot. Smart seemed optimistic about each of their chances to give it a go this week.
“They both did some stuff yesterday. They went out and worked out. Think both are going to be good to go and be able to help us,” the head coach shared. “We’ll see because I’ll know a lot more after today’s practice.”
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Smart also shared on the Georgia running back room that has a plethora of injuries ongoing. Trevor Etienne remains sidelined as he battles a rib injury while Branson Robinson (knee) and Roderick Robinson (toe) were both back in pads on Saturday. Neither played, but they did warm up, and Smart is hopeful that the next step in their respective recoveries is one that could help Georgia’s limited depth out.
“Branson and Rod have both looked good in the last week in terms of picking up their pace, running, cutting. We’re going to progress them today. They’re going to do more today than they have,” Smart said. “I guess y’all saw them Saturday run. They did more yesterday. We’re day by day with those guys, but there’s a possibility so we’re excited about them getting back to work.”
Georgia kicks off against Georgia Tech Friday night under the Sanford Stadium lights. The 118th meeting in the rivalry known as Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. The Bulldogs, winners of six in a row in the series, are favorites of more than two touchdowns per VegasInsider.
