Kirby Smart shares Georgia offseason injury update at SEC Media Days
DALLAS — Football season is just around the corner, and every team wants to come in with its complete arsenal. That’s certainly the case at Georgia where a couple key Bulldogs missed spring practice but should be available for the start of fall camp. Head coach Kirby Smart provided the latest updates at SEC Media Days on Tuesday.
Running back Branson Robinson is continuing to make his way back from a knee injury suffered in fall camp of last year. A ruptured patella tendon ended a promising sophomore season before it started, but the Bulldogs hope to have him back before too long.
“Looks really good. I won’t say he’s 100 percent cleared, but man, he looks great out there running,” Smart said on Tuesday. “His weight is down, which I think is going to put less pressure on that injury and those knees. Looks good running around out there. I’ve been really pleased with the way he’s looked. I don’t know if he’ll be 100 percent at the start of camp, but I feel like he’ll be close.”
A trio of key defenders also missed spring practice with various injuries. Despite not being physically able to participate in drills, All-American safety Malaki Starks (shoulder) was very present in the daily activities. Smart admitted he “wasn’t event thinking of him as an injury guy.” Meanwhile, linebacker Smael Mondon and defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins were both sidelined with foot injuries and continue to make their way back to 100%.
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“Malaki’s great, typical surgery, shoulder surgery we have, labrum repair. He’s been on schedule. He actually did some things in spring practice non-contact. I wasn’t even thinking of him as an injury guy,” Smart said. “Ty Ingram-Dawkins is battling to come back. He had a significant foot injury that we think he’ll be good to go by camp. But it’s something that you have to be really smart about the load and the amount of work you put on it. Smael’s still battling back. I don’t know if he’ll be cleared for fall camp or not. He should be close.”
Last but certainly not least is freshman quarterback Ryan Puglisi. The four-star signee ranked No. 10 in the nation among signal callers in the Class of 2024. He arrived in Athens to help Georgia prepare for its bowl game and participated in the first half of spring practice before being sat down to rest a knee injury that bothered him. According to Smart on Tuesday, “Ryan’s health looks great in terms of running and doing the summer stuff.”
Smart also confirmed the medical retirement from football for offensive lineman Kelton Smith. According to a release from the program, confirmed the report of DawgsHQ from late last month, Smith arrived in Athens with a pre-existing condition which was monitored closely and eventually led to this decision being made.
