Georgia "optimistic" that 2 starters will return for UGA against Tennessee

Georgia's offensive line was not at their best last weekend against Austin Peay in pass protection. The Bulldogs got a great push in the run game, but they were not able to consistently give Gunner Stockton enough time in the passing game.

One of the biggest reasons for this was because Georgia's offensive line was missing two of their starters. Right tackle Earnest Green and right guard Juan Gaston both started in Georgia's first game of the season, but injuries suffered in that games kept them sidelined last week against the Governors.

Georgia's most recent injury report gave UGA fans some hope that both would be back because Gaston was listed as questionable and Greene was marked probable. But a new report from On3's Chris Low states that Georgia is "optimistic" that both Gaston and Greene will play against Tennessee.

Georgia expects 2 starters to be back vs Tennessee

Greene is a veteran on Georgia's offensive line, so his presence on Saturday would go a long way when it comes to the continuity of UGA's line. Gaston on the other hand is a five-star true freshman who miraculously earned a starting spot this offseason. It is very rare for a true freshman to earn a starting spot on the offensive line, so that speaks to how great of a player he already is.

Tennessee on the other hand has not been as fortunate as Georgia on the injury front. The Volunteers just ruled out five-star offensive tackle David Sanders for Saturday's game. On top of that, Tennessee's top two corners will also be out against Georgia as well. So it appears that Georgia will have an advantage when it comes to the health of their roster entering this game.

While that is a nice advantage to have, it by no means guarantees that Georgia will. The Bulldogs will have to be at their very best if they are going to beat Tennessee, but there is no denying that Gaston and Greene playing gives UGA a much better chance to go to Knoxville and leave with a victory.