Updated Georgia injury report ahead of UGA vs. Ball State
No. 1 Georgia football will be back in Sanford Stadium on Saturday to take on Football Championship Subdivision opponent Ball State after a 48-7 win over UT Martin in the season opener.
The Bulldogs played without multiple starters either due to injury or suspension in Week 1. Head coach Kirby Smart shared updates this week on their availability for Saturday’s matchup.
Here is our Week 2 injury report as the Dawgs take on the Cardinals:
WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint
Status: Available
Rosemy-Jacksaint missed the season opener due to a suspension stemming from an off-the-field issue this offseason.
“Marcus is going to be available to play. The No. 1 thing we miss is leadership,” Smart said this week. “I haven’t been around a receiver room that actually cares as much about blocking as these guys do, and they do that because their leader has that personality.”
RB Kendall Milton
Injury: Hamstring
Status: Probable
Milton gave it a go last week. Although he wasn’t 100%, the senior tailback played well after battling a nagging hamstring issue most of the offseason. Game shape is the leading concern now for Milton.
“Kendall’s dying to get out there. He’s got a great heart, great soul. He loves this program,” Smart said.
“You know, he didn’t really go through camp. He worked out, he ran, he did what he had to do, but he could not get himself in playing shape just by camp, so we’re really battling that now to get him back right.”
LB Smael Mondon Jr.
Injury: Foot
Status: Probable
Mondon didn’t get the start last week due to a foot injury suffered in spring practice, but he played six snaps. It seems only a matter of time before the Bulldogs’ leading returning tackler is back at 100%.
“He looks good out there and we expect him to be able to play,” Smart said. “He was cleared to go this week and it was one of those we were going to be safe as we could.”
WR Ladd McConkey
Injury: Back
Status: Questionable
McConkey is dealing with a back injury that has bothered him dating to last season. The starting wideout missed the season opener, and his availability is unknown with SEC play looming.
“Ladd, he’s day-to-day,” Smart said. “Thought he might be able to go last week and he wasn’t. It was really a game-time decision.”
RB Daijun Edwards
Injury: Knee (MCL)
Status: Questionable
There’s a good chance Edwards suits up this Saturday. Georgia’s leading returning rusher is dealing with an MCL strain that has bothered him since spring practice.
“Daijun, we think he could have played in that game,” Smart said. “He practiced. He warmed up. He did everything leading up to the game. He had this injury before. I can’t remember if it was Vanderbilt or maybe Florida during the off week last year.”
LB Raylen Wilson
Injury: Knee
Status: Questionable
Wilson is dealing with a knee injury he suffered in the Bulldogs’ first scrimmage of fall camp. Wilson has been in a regular practice jersey this week, which is a good sign.
LB EJ Lightsey
Injury: Shoulder/ back
Status: Doubtful
Lightsey missed the season injury due to shoulder pain and nagging back pain stemming from an injury in high school.
“He’s had some shoulder pain, some back pain from a high school injury, and he’s been fighting that,” Smart said. “We’re hopeful to get him back.”
OT Austin Blaske
Injury: Lower body
Status: Doubtful
Blaske is dealing with a lower body injury that has held him out of practices this week.
WR Jackson Meeks
Injury: Foot
Status: Doubtful
Meeks, who was in a walking boot last week, is expected to back soon, but will likely miss this one.
TE Lawson Luckie
Injury: Ankle
Status: Out
Luckie suffered an ankle injury during fall camp and underwent tight-rope surgery a few weeks ago.
RB Branson Robinson
Injury: Knee
Status: Out for season
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Robinson will miss the 2023 season due to a torn patella tendon suffered in fall camp.
