On Tuesday after practice, Kirby Smart gave an update on the status of a couple of injured Bulldogs, cornerback Tyson Campbell and defensive tackle Jordan Davis.
Davis suffered a lower leg injury (ankle) during the first quarter of the Tennessee game on Saturday, October 5th and was not able to return. He was also absent during the media viewing period of practice on Monday as well as Tuesday. Coach Smart stated that they think Jordan will be fine.
“We think Jordan’s going to be fine. He was able to run and move around and do some things, and he continues to improve. If he continues at the rate he’s at, he’ll be fine,” said Kirby. “He’s ahead of where Solly (Solomon Kindley) and Isaiah (Wilson) were in each of their weeks when they were cleared to play.”
Kindley suffered a similar injury to Davis’ in the Notre Game game back on September 21st, and although Solomon has been practicing, Justin Shaffer got the start versus Tennessee and has been working with the first group offensive line at left guard during the media viewing period on Monday and Tuesday.
Sophomore cornerback Tyson Campbell injured his foot during the second quarter of the Arkansas State game back on September 14th and hasn’t returned to play since. Although he hasn’t been practicing and getting contact yet, Campbell has been running.
”Tyson’s running really well. He had some really good numbers on GPS today. As the practice went on, he got better and better,” said Kirby. “I don’t know. But he still has not had contact and the pressure you need from getting some contact.”
It is unclear whether Campbell or Davis will play in Saturday’s game versus South Carolina at this time, but it sounds like they making improvements each day.
Of note, Kirby Smart did address why freshman defensive lineman Travon Walker has been absent from both Monday’s and Tuesday’s practice during the media viewing period.
Another spot of positive news for the Georgia Bulldogs is senior defensive lineman Julian Rochester appears to have turned the corner in his journey back to the field. After sustaining an ACL injury to his right in one of the last two games for UGA last season and having surgery to repair the damage to his right knee at the first of the year, Rochester was practicing with the football team since the start of fall camp, but through the Dawgs’ first four games, he had yet to participate and play. During Saturday’s game versus Tennessee No. 5 played and recorded 2 tackles including a tackle for a loss.
Kirby talked about Rochester’s opportunity to get into the game versus Tennessee during Monday’s 12 Noon press conference.
“Yeah, Julian (Rochester) played well. He came in and has just been practicing. We’ve been grooming him to get him ready and get him in the rotation and felt like it was the time to do it,” said Kirby. “He’ll get opportunities to continue doing that if he continues to do everything he’s supposed to do and work hard in practice, if he continues to do that. The biggest thing is we’ve got to get some quickness and production out of those guys. That’s what we’re hoping he can help with.”
Georgia hosts South Carolina this Saturday, October 12th for a 12 Noon game on ESPN at Dooley Field in Sanford Stadium.