Death, taxes, and injuries in football. An unfortunate, yet foundational phenomenon of the game we all know and love.
The Bulldogs are preparing for their season opener against Clemson, looking to continue the program's regular season win streak, one that hasn't suffered a loss in the regular season since November 7th, 2020.
The Dawgs will not enter its season opener at full depth due to a litany of injuries and potential suspensions yet to be announced.
Smart continued to decline to publicly name any suspensions for the opener. Linebacker Smael Mondon, running back Trevor Etienne, wide receiver Sacovie White, and offensive lineman Bo Hughley were all arrested during this offseason on driving-related charges. Charges have been dropped against all players except Hughley.
Smael Mondon and Trevor Etienne are viewed as the probable starters at linebacker and running back respectively. If Mondon were not to play, Raylen Wilson would shift into his role, with Jalon Walker seeing an uptick in snaps.
Onto the injury front. Georgia is expected to have Warren Brinson and Jared Wilson ready for the opening matchup against Clemson. Both players battled Achilles injuries throughout fall camp; Wilson projects to make his first career start at center, while Brinson is expected to start on the defensive line.
Warren Brinson started in three games in 2023 and was a regular rotational piece in the trenches; he finished the year with 21 tackles, three for loss, and two sacks.
“Warren looks good. He didn’t get the luxury of going through camp,” Smart said. “But he also has had four camps in his time at Georgia.”
The Bulldogs will enter the Clemson matchup thinner than they'd like on the defensive line, with Jordan Hall and Xzavier McLeod both expected to miss the season opener. Despite the fact that neither was expected to be starters, the absence of quality depth enacts concern, as a more significant load will be placed upon Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse, and Christen Miller along the interior of the trenches.
Running back Roderick Robinson is dealing with a toe injury. Smart added that he had undergone surgery on the toe yet did not offer a timetable for Robinson's return.
Robinson saw an increased role in his true freshman season, with Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards battling injuries. Robinson suffered a high ankle sprain against South Carolina and missed the next six games before he returned against Ole Miss.
With Robinson declared out and Etienne facing a potential suspension for his arrest, the Bulldogs running back room will turn to Branson Robinson, Nate Frazier, and Cash Jones. Robinson is now over a year removed from the patellar tendon injury that caused him to miss the 2023 season.
Frazier is a freshman who garnered strong recognition throughout the duration of fall camp. Smart has routinely praised Jones for his leadership in August. Jones, should be seen as the pass-catching skat-back option. Smart has routinely
Miami (FL) transfer WR Colbie Young has been dealing with a hamstring injury but is expected to be ready for the opener.
“Colbie has been great. Ever since the scrimmage he’s been able to run and been full go,” Smart said.
Young was a notable offensive addition for Georgia in the offseason. He is coming off a junior season in Coral Gables where he recorded 47 catches for 563 yards and five touchdowns.
Full Georgia Injury Report:
- DL Warren Brinson — Achilles — probable
- OL Jared Wilson — Achilles — probable
- WR Colbie Young — hamstring — probable
- OLB Chaz Chambliss — hamstring — probable
- ILB Smael Mondon — foot/possible suspension — questionable
- RB Trevor Etienne — possible suspension — questionable
- WR Sacovie White — possible suspension — questionable
- OL Bo Hughley — possible suspension — questionable
- DL Xzavier McLeod — unspecified — doubtful
- RB Roderick Robinson — toe — out
- DL Jordan Hall — leg — out
- DB Chris Peal — shoulder — out
- OL Marcus Harrison — back — out
Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs are now just four days away from their season opener against Clemson in Mercedes-Benz Stadium.