Kirby Smart offers update on Javon Bullard injury, banged up Bulldogs
ATHENS, Ga. — Defensive back Javon Bullard exited Georgia’s second game of the season early on Saturday, suffering an ankle injury and heading to the locker room in the first half. Bullard returned to the sideline in the second half in street clothes wearing a boot on his left foot.
After the game, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart provided an update on his star defender.
“He had ankle sprain,” Smart said on Bullard. “The severity of it I do not know. I know he could not return.”
Bullard has started each of the first two games for Georgia at safety next to Malaki Starks. It’s a change from the STAR position he played last season, but has opened the door for the Bulldogs to get another veteran on the field in Tykee Smith.
In his absence, David Daniel-Sisavanh and Dan Jackson manned the back end of the defense and saw an uptick in their playing time.
Last week, Bullard recorded four in Georgia’s season-opening win over UT-Martin. He had one tackle today before exiting.
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Bullard was named a First-Team All-SEC selection by the media and was selected as a Second-Team All-American in the preseason according to the Associated Press and Sporting News. Bullard finished fifth on the team in. tackles last season with 46.
Bullard earned Defensive MVP honors in both of Georgia’s College Football Playoff victories including a particularly impressive performance in the National Championship Game against TCU. The Millegeville, Ga. native came down with a pair of interceptions and came up with a fumble recovery – all in the first half. Bullard also shined in a win over then-No. 1 Tennessee with a pair of sacks. He led the team in tackles in the SEC Championship Game and in Georgia’s rivalry game against Florida earlier in the season.
Other Injury News…
- Ladd McConkey (back) did not dress out on Saturday. Meanwhile, Daijun Edwards (knee) did dress but did not play. DawgsHQ has reported that both players practiced this week.
- Austin Blaske (lower body), Josh Miller (undisclosed), Chris Peal (turf toe), DeNylon Morrissette (groin), EJ Lightsey (shoulder), Lawson Luckie (ankle) and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (foot) did not dress either.
Blaske is dealing with a sprained MCL that happened in practice. Smart said that they are hopeful to get him back next week.
On Ingram-Dawkins, Smart said that this injury is one that is related to the foot injury he was battling during fall camp. They hope to get him back, saying that he is “week to week.” - Christen Miller went down with an injury during the second half and was attended to by trainers on the field. He went into the injury tent and emerged, staying on the sideline but not getting back in the game.
Georgia’s next game opens SEC play for the Bulldogs this season as they take on South Carolina next Saturday in Athens. Kickoff time from Sanford Stadium is set for 3:30 p.m. on CBS as the SEC Game of the Week.
