On Sunday, the Georgia football team had their second practice in New Orleans as they continue to prepare for their matchup with Baylor in the New Year’s Day Sugar Bowl. D’Andre Swift has been practicing but per Kirby Smart from the Sugar Bowl “arrival day” presser on Saturday, the junior running back is still not at 100%.
“D’Andre Swift has been recovering from a shoulder injury, due to the end of the season. He’s been able to do more and more each practice, the last two doing the most,” said Kirby. “He’s been doing the most out of the last for a couple of recent practices. We’re hopeful he’s able to go at 100% for the game. He wants to play in the game. If he’s able to go 100%, he’ll be able to play.”
Swift has been recovering from a shoulder injury he sustained in the Georgia Tech game back on November 30th that limited him versus LSU in the SEC Championship Game the following week.
Georgia’s Offensive coordinator James Coley also commented and fielded questions on Swift’s status on Sunday.
“D’Andre Swift, he’s working really hard to get healthy. You guys know he hasn’t been healthy 100%,” said Coley. “He’s practicing hard. We’re all supporting him through this because it’s tough. He’s a leader. He’s one of our leaders.”
Coley was confident that James Cook, Zamir White, and Kenny McIntosh could step up and take on a bigger role if Swift was not able to go on Wednesday.
“If he (Swift) is unable to go, we’ve got a good stable running backs there. James Cook and Zamir White, and Kenny McIntosh have all practiced really hard and embraced the role of ‘I’m the next guy in.’ And those guys are embracing bigger roles than just playing the backfield,” said Coley. “As you guys saw in our game at SEC championship game, they played in the slot. We motioned them in from the backfield to the third receiver in a set, to the first receiver in a set. They did a bunch of stuff. So they’ve had to cram in more than just running back at times. They’ve played outside as receivers. So I’m excited to see those kids play. They’ve worked really hard, and they’re ready for this opportunity.”
The media also got the opportunity to talk to Swift on Sunday and here is what he said regarding his health.
“I’m practicing. I have been at the institute doing treatment,” said Swift. “I’m going to play it by ear the next couple of days. It is a day-by-day thing.”
Swift added, “It is really frustrating. I love the game of football, love being around my brothers, around the team. So, just not being out there with my best foot forward is definitely frustrating. I’m doing everything I can to do to be with the team. I’m definitely trying to play in this game. But I’ve got to be smart about it. I don’t want to make it worse. If I’m able to go, I’m going to go.”