Georgia injury report ahead of UGA vs UAB

12 Sep 2021

ugawire.usatoday.com

Georgia football takes on UAB in the 2021 home opener in Athens on Saturday afternoon. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. but some Bulldogs will not be taking the field.

UGA has battled injuries throughout fall camp and into the Clemson matchup Saturday night. The story is no different in Week 2. Star quarterback J.T. Daniels is nursing an upper body injury that may keep him sidelined against the Blazers.

Early reports suggest an oblique strain or some kind of core injury, although coach Kirby Smart has not yet confirmed any injury. Redshirt freshman Carson Beck received a large number of first-team reps at practice on Tuesday.

The offensive line took a hit this week. Starting right guard Tate Ratledge underwent foot surgery and will miss the remainder of the season due to an injury suffered against Clemson.

At receiver, the Bulldogs are still missing star Dominick Blaylock, who is recovering from an ACL tear suffered last year. Smart said Blaylock is close to 100%. Kearis Jackson, the leading pass catcher a year ago, only returned punts against Clemson and is not fully recovered from knee surgery this summer.

Fellow wideout George Pickens is rehabbing an ACL tear suffered in the spring, and LSU transfer Arik Gilbert is still not with the team due to a personal issue.

Tight end Darnell Washington and defensive back Tykee Smith are working their way back from foot surgeries a few weeks ago. Smart said the two were at least moving around, suggesting they should be back at some point this season.

Here’s an updated look at Georgia’s injury report ahead of the matchup with UAB.

WR Kearis Jackson

Nov. 21, 2020; Athens, Georgia; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Kearis Jackson (10) runs after a catch against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

PROBABLE – KNEE

QB J.T. Daniels

J.T. Daniels (18) of the Georgia Bulldogs leaves the field after their win against the Clemson Tigers in the Duke’s Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium on Sept. 4, 2021 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Grant Halverson/Getty Images

QUESTIONABLE – UPPER-BODY INJURY

WR Dominick Blaylock

Sept. 21, 2019; Athens, Georiga; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Dominick Blaylock (8) breaks a tackle by Notre Dame Fighting Irish safety Jalen Elliott (21) during the first half at Sanford Stadium. Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

QUESTIONABLE – KNEE

DB Tykee Smith

Nov. 14, 2020; Morgantown, West Virginia; West Virginia Mountaineers safety Tykee Smith (23) celebrates after defeating the TCU Horned Frogs at Mountaineer Field at Milan Puskar Stadium. Ben Queen-USA TODAY Sports

DOUBTFUL – FOOT

TE Darnell Washington

Jan. 1, 2021; Atlanta; Georgia Bulldogs tight end Darnell Washington (0) runs after a catch against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first quarter of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

DOUBTFUL – FOOT

WR Arik Gilbert

July 1, 2019; Frisco, Texas; Tight end Arik Gilbert participates in drills at The Opening at the Ford Center at The Star. Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

OUT – PERSONAL

WR George Pickens

Jan. 1, 2021; Atlanta; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver George Pickens (1) celebrates after a touchdown catch against the Cincinnati Bearcats in the first quarter of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

OUT – KNEE

OG Tate Ratledge

Georgia quarterback J.T. Daniels (18) looks to throw the ball while guard Tate Ratledge (51) blocks defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt (95) during the Georgia G-Day spring football game in Athens, Ga., on Saturday, April 17, 2021. oshua L. Jones, Athens Banner-Herald

OUT- FOOT