Georgia opens fall camp with banged up defensive line, running back making return
ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia opens fall practice on Thursday, but not all Bulldogs will be on the field. Adding on to the updates he shared at SEC Media Days in mid-July, UGA head coach Kirby Smart offered the latest ahead of camp.
Most notably, Smart said that redshirt sophomore running back Branson Robinson will begin practice on Thursday without limitations. The former four-star and No. 2 ball carrier in the Class of 2022 suffered a ruptured patella tendon during fall camp last year, ending a promising season before it started. Robinson played in 12 of 15 games in 2022 totaling 68 carries for 341 yards and three touchdowns.
The ninth-year head coach did use “load management” when describing how Robinson will be involved. He won’t be limited in what he can do but he will be limited in how much he does on the practice field, at least early on.
“I don’t know the number of months is, it seems like it’s almost been a year because it happened preseason last year. It’s not a shock to me that he’s able to start and go without limitations,” Smart said. “The load management is critical because you can’t take someone who hasn’t done everything and throw them into everything. We have to be smart about that, but it’s certainly promising.”
“I forget what practice it was he got injured last year, but he was having a really good camp,” he continued. “He looked really good, and I remember thinking, ‘Gah, this guy’s about to have a great season.’ Now he has to go back, and you forget the blitz pickups and all the things he missed out on that he hasn’t had a chance to do. He’ll be doing it now, and I know he’s looking forward to it. We’re excited to get him out there.”
Smart also confirmed the news DawgsHQ reported last week with defensive lineman Jordan Hall going to miss the start of fall camp due to a leg injury. The former five-star is on the shelf with a tibia stress fracture that the Bulldogs hope will allow him to be back by the start of the season.
Hall isn’t the only player up front that’s banged up. Senior defensive lineman Warren Brinson is also going to be limited with an Achilles tendon injury. Smart said that Brinson dealt with a similar injury in the spring on his opposite leg. He’s undergone injection and “he should be back shortly.”
Expected to be two of the key contributors on the interior of the defensive line, Brinson and Hall combined for 31 tackles including 23 solo stops last season.
Linebacker Smael Mondon and defensive end Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins both continue to make their way back from respective foot injuries and will be “able to do some stuff, but not everything.” Others on the injury list include wide receiver Cole Speer (sprain – foot), defensive back Chris Peal (post-spring labrum surgery – shoulder) and offensive lineman Marcus Harrison (stress reaction – foot).
“Most of the guys I named will be involved in some way,” Smart said. “Some are just completely out, but others aren’t.”
Georgia kicks off the season on August 31st against Clemson in Atlanta. The Bulldogs are expected to be the top-ranked team in both the AP and Coaches polls upon their upcoming release.
