Kirby Smart shares positive updates on availability for quartet of key players
ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia’s injury updates continue to get better and better with the team’s first game quickly approaching. Having been through a pair of practices this week in preparation for the opener against UT-Martin, Kirby Smart said that key banged up Bulldogs on both sides of the ball are participating in practice.
On offense, running backs Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton are the ones to watch. Dealing with an MCL sprain and hamstring issue respectively, Smart said that both Edwards and Milton have been back at practice this week. Edwards is still wearing a black non-contact jersey while Milton has ditched the one he was wearing just last week.
“They’ve both done more. Daijun stayed in a black. Kendall’s been out of a black. Both are looking good,” Smart said on Tuesday. “We’re giving a lot of reps to a lot of other guys, we’ve got a lot of other guys to get prepared, but they’ve both been in indy, they’ve both done drills, they’ve both worked during the run periods and the pass periods. Feel good about both of them.”
Edwards is Georgia’s returning leading rusher, finishing second to Kenny McIntosh last season. Edwards carried it 140 times for 769 yards. Meanwhile, Milton – who had fewer carries (85) and yards (592) – found the end zone more, eight times to Edwards’ seven.
Should Edwards and Milton not be available, Georgia will rely on its two available scholarship backs: redshirt freshman Andrew Paul and true freshman Roderick Robinson. Neither has appeared in a collegiate contest. Walk-ons Cash Jones, Sevaughn Clark and Len’Neth Whitehead could also contribute if called upon.
As for the defensive side of the ball, last year’s leading tackler – Smael Mondon – and a returning starter at cornerback – Kamari Lassiter – were both in black non-contact jerseys last week during media observation. Both making their way back from foot injuries, Smart said that they’ve been active in practice.
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“Smael’s been dealing with the foot injury that happened in the spring. He’s done a real good job with that, been practicing out there and has done everything in practice this week. Kamari’s looked good out there and done everything. He was dealing with a foot sprain but he’s practicing and doing really well this week.”
Both Mondon and Lassiter started every game in which they played last season. For Lassiter, that was all 15 while Mondon missed a pair mid-season.
Xavian Sorey has been working in Mondon’s place next to Jamon Dumas-Johnson with the first team defense. Meanwhile, a starting spot opposite of Lassiter is up for grabs, so the good news for Georgia is that his potential replacements – a list that includes the likes of Julian Humphrey, Nyland Green and Daylen Everette – have been getting plenty of work in fall camp.
Other Georgia injuries to keep an eye on for the season-opener on Saturday include wide receiver Ladd McConkey (back), offensive lineman Earnest Greene (ankle), defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (foot) and defensive backs David Daniel-Sisavanh (turf toe) and Joenel Aguero (hamstring).
