The Georgia Bulldogs' first bye week of the 2024 season has arrived, and it couldn't have come at a better time. The Dawgs have several players trying to heal ahead of next week's matchup with Alabama in Tuscaloosa.
Following Tuesday's practice, coach Kirby Smart said All-American guard Tate Ratledge underwent tightrope surgery. Ratledge is also battling an MCL sprain he suffered in the Bulldogs win over Kentucky in Lexington on Saturday.
Recovery time varies between players. Brock Bowers underwent the same surgery last season and returned to the gridiron in 26 days. Amarius Mims suffered the same injury and missed six games.
Carson Beck practiced Monday and Tuesday after getting beat up in the late minutes of the Kentucky game.
Beck got up slowly after taking an unorthodox fall late in the 13-12 victory in Lexington. Beck said, "Thankfully we have a bye week, so we'll see," Beck said. "I'll be fine, but no, we'll see."
Smart noted that Beck has an AC joint sprain in his nonthrowing arm; this will really depend on Beck's degree of pain tolerance.
Smart is hopeful about defensive linemen Mykell Williams, Warren Brinson, and Jordan Hall's recovery to full strength.
"They're all working to come back. They're all doing the rehab process. Warren's really close. Warren's out there doing stuff now. Mykel's running, Jordan's running," Smart said.
Running back Trevor Etienne said his shoulder felt "fine" when speaking to the media. He left the Kentucky game briefly.
He quickly returned to the game and finished the evening with 90 total yards on 20 touches.
The injury to Tate Ratledge is huge, but the Dawgs have players in place who have been regular rotational pieces up front.
More updates will come throughout the bye week and as Georgia approaches its thrilling matchup in Alabama next week.