Georgia got a couple of players back at practice this week as they prepare their upcoming game versus Tennessee on Saturday in Knoxville. Both offensive lineman Solomon Kindley and cornerback Eric Stokes have been practicing with the football team.
Kindley got “dinged up” versus the Fighting Irish, having to leave during the second quarter after suffering a lower left leg injury and was unable to return. The fourth-year junior was missing from the media viewing periods during practice last week on Tuesday and Wednesday. He was also missing from Monday’s practice to start this week, but Kindley returned on Tuesday afternoon with a brace on his ankle. During Tuesday’s post-practice press conference, Head Coch Kirby Smart gave an update on the talented right guard.
“Solomon (Kindley) got to go a good bit. We think he’s going to be OK. It’s going to be a matter of whether he’s mentally ready to play more than physically ready to play,” said Kirby. “He’s in a similar situation that Isaiah Wilson was in the week of Notre Dame.”
Eric Stokes went down early in the game against Notre Dame back on September 21st with an apparent knee injury but was able to return later during the second half. Stokes was not seen at practice last week, but he returned on Monday to start the week with a wrap on his knee and was also seen competing and practing with no limitations on Tuesday.
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. He also hasn’t been able to practice with the team. On Monday, Coach Smart gave an update on the sophomore cornerback.
“Tyson (Campbell) is still limited a little bit, hoping to get him back before the end of the week,” said Kirby. “He’s recovering quickly.”
Campbell was seen on Tuesday during the media viewing period off to the side away from the other defensive backs and team, and he still seemed very limited, which Kirby confirmed in yesterday’s post-practice presser.
“He wasn’t able to go today. He’s running. He’s running faster. He’s picking up speed,” said Coach Smart. “But he’s not able to go right now.”
One player that has been battling and trying to get back on the field is defensive lineman Julian Rochester. The senior suffered a knee injury at the end of last season and had surgery to repair the damage. He was on the travel roster to Nashville but did not play, and in fact, has yet to play any snaps in Georgia’s first four games this year despite practicing with no restrictions. Kirby Smart talked about Rochester on Tuesday.
“He’s cleared and he’s working his way back. He’s out there competing. Julian (Rochester) is progressing and getting better. He had an ACL injury which happened a little later than most of our ACLs. He’s continuing to work,” said Smart. “When he’s ready to play and he’s better than the guys he’s going against, the guys that he is behind, then he’ll play.”
The Bulldogs will continue to prepare on Wednesday afternoon after classes for their road game versus Tennessee which is set for a 7:00 p.m. EST kickoff on Saturday, October 5th.