Kirby Smart shares latest on Georgia injuries after win over Auburn
ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia was without linebacker Smael Mondon on Saturday after he was declared out on Wednesday’s initial SEC availability report. Mondon was seen on the sideline with crutches and a boot on his left foot. No information was shared on Mondon’s injury until postgame Saturday when UGA head coach Kirby Smart spoke with reporters.
“Smael’s injured,” Smart said. “I thought the guys stepped up and did a great job. Jalon Walker had to play more of an inside linebacker role, which is what we anticipated going into the year. CJ’s banged up, Raylen’s pushing hard. We got to get other guys ready. Terrell (Foster), Chris Cole, Justin Williams, they all gotta step up and play.”
In Mondon’s absence, Georgia relied on the linebacker trio of CJ Allen, Raylen Wilson and Jalon Walker heavier. Freshman Chris Cole also got involved on third downs in his first significant action.
Mondon wasn’t the only banged up Bulldog to be discussed after Saturday’s win over Auburn. Offensive lineman Jared Wilson was listed as a game-time decision but did not play. Defensive lineman Christen Miller was announced “out with a knee injury” during the fourth quarter. Smart shared on each.
“Yeah, I don’t know a Christen, I thought he was fine. I mean, he had ice on his knee, and he played a lot in the game. So I thought at the point that he was not in, we were already playing other people. So we’ll see. Jared was not able to go. He’s been dealing with a foot injury since last week but he felt like he could go in and play. If he had to be the backup in the emergency center, he felt like he could do that. So we were gonna use him as that if we needed to.”
Another game-time decision, defensive lineman Jordan Hall, also didn’t play. The injury news wasn’t all bad for Georgia though. Mykel Williams was a game-time decision able to go. Wide receiver London Humphreys made his return from illness and caught a pair of passes for 40 yards. Sacovie White also came off the injury report – although he didn’t participate.
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“Oh, it was awesome,” Smart said on Humphreys. “I mean, that was crazy to be where, I mean, I didn’t know how long it was gonna be, and then I get a call that he can play. I’m like, what? Like, we thought it was gonna be a couple weeks, and then he didn’t even practice — I guess, I don’t know what day it was, Monday, Tuesday. I don’t know. I forget what day he even got cleared, but I mean, he just goes out there, gets back to working. He’s so solid, he’s so reliable, and jumped right back in and did a good job.”
Georgia is back in action next Saturday in a battle of the Bulldogs against Mississippi State. Kickoff time is set for 4:15 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
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