Georgia Football: Injuries quickly pile up ahead of the Kentucky game

ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 02: KJ Jefferson #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks is tackled by Christopher Smith #29 and Kelee Ringo #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Sanford Stadium on October 2, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GA - OCTOBER 02: KJ Jefferson #1 of the Arkansas Razorbacks is tackled by Christopher Smith #29 and Kelee Ringo #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the first half at Sanford Stadium on October 2, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)

Georgia football hasn’t had a complete roster the entire season, and at this point, it hasn’t seemed to phase the team. With the bye-week in their sights, the Dawgs must focus on Kentucky before the much-needed off week arrives.

The Dawgs are back home after a  physical win on the road against Auburn, and as the last home game, ESPN College GameDay will be in town, and so will its counterpart SEC Nation. Georgia will also have another Top-15 matchup as the Wildcats are No. 11 in the AP Top 25 Poll.

Much like every team the Dawgs have taken on so far this season, Kentucky is exceptionally confident in their team. The Wildcats will finally get an SEC road test after having back-to-back emotional wins over Florida and LSU at home.

While Georgia has found ways to win ball games despite having an injury list a mile long, it still is never fun to hear another football player has gotten hurt.

As soon as Georgia got back Tykee Smith, not a week later, he tore his ACL in practice and will miss the remainder of the season. He is the latest Bulldog, but he isn’t the only one. There is a double-digit list of injuries, so hopefully, this week can be smooth sailing, and those able to come back can for the showdown in Jacksonville.

Head coach Kirby Smart hinted that a few guys could return this week, but the Dawgs complete injury list is below.

Injury Report

WR George Pickens (Out)

OL Tate Ratledge (Out)

CB Jalen Kimber (Out)

CB Tykee Smith (Out)

LB Rian Davis (Out)

WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (Probable)

WR Dominick Blaylock (Doubtful/Probable)

WR Arian Smith (Probable)

CB Ameer Speed (Doubtful)

QB JT Daniels (Probable)

RB Kenny McIntosh (Doubtful)

OL Jamaree Salyer (Doubtful)

WR Jermaine Burton (Probable)

WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (Probable)

S Christopher Smith (Doubtful/Probable)

This list is too long for comfort, but Georgia is deep enough in areas that it’s the next man up kind of mentality. Thankfully the Dawgs will see some guys back, but with the bye week up next, everyone is thankful for a week off.

Georgia football players OUT for Week 7 game against Kentucky

The Bulldogs out for the Kentucky game are George Pickens, Tate Ratledge, Jalen Kimber, Rian Davis, and the latest member to join this group is Smith.

Pickens and Smith are both guys out with ACL injures, while Ratledge had a foot injury, Kimber’s injury is in his shoulder, and Davis has something wrong with his quad.

Pickens is the closest to coming back of all these talented Dawgs, but only time will tell if he should sit out the rest of the year and play in 2022.

Smith returned from an ankle injury he suffered during fall camp and got some playing time against Auburn. However, those practices must be extremely intense if it causes a guy to tear his ACL.

Either way, it’s not always the best thing to see for a team when their out list grows by the week, but injuries happen in football, so Georgia must adjust.

Georgia football players DOUBTFUL for Week 7 game against Kentucky

The list between doubtful and probable mix together a good bit because some players may be ready to return, but it’s safer for them to rest until Florida unless the Dawgs need them.

Chris Smith is one of the newest names on the doubtful list after suffering from a separated shoulder injury against Auburn. He has been limited this week in practice, so unless the Dawgs need him, he would be one guy I’d let rest.

Jamaree Salyer is the other new name on this list after leaving the Auburn game with an ankle injury. He is likely able to get back out there but could stay out one game to just get healed up fully.

Ameer Speed and Kenny McIntosh both missed the Auburn game, and it doesn’t seem like either of them will go this week as both are still trying to get back to 100%.

This list is flexible because some guys may be ready by game time to go, but maybe they won’t. If Georgia is having success with who they have out there, why risk reinjuring a player they will need down the stretch of the season.

Georgia football players PROBABLE for Week 7 game against Kentucky

The remaining players on that list, like JT Daniels, Arian Smith, Dominick Blaylock, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, and Jermaine Burton, are all guys who could see action against Kentucky.

Among those five guys, Daniels is the least likely because the little thing can aggravate it with a lat injury. So even though I’ve got him listed as probable, Georgia fans will likely only see him in the game if the Dawgs need him to make something happen.

While he has increased his throwing reps this week in practice, having him 100% for Florida would be far better than 75% this week.

As for the others, they are all wideouts who have had lingering injuries from their groins to leg contusions, this group stays banged up, but thankfully the Dawgs have had other receivers step up in their absence.

If any of them wouldn’t play, it would likely be Blaylock who is still trying to get his hamstring feeling better. Burton and Rosemy-Jacksaint should see time, even if it’s limited.

Georgia may have what seems like the longest injury list in all of college football, but the Dawgs just need to keep fighting.

The bye week will give the Dawgs a great week to rest these injured players and hopefully get them back for the Florida game. Hopefully, Saturday won’t present too many surprises, and Georgia will go into Jacksonville ranked No. 1 in the country.