Kirby Smart discusses 3 key Georgia football injuries

Georgia football is fresh off one of their biggest wins of the season after taking down Tennessee at home 31-17. It can't be stated enough how big this win is for Georgia's College Football Playoff hopes as the Bulldogs now control their own destiny to make it into the 12-team field.

And while that is extremely exciting, there are a lot of things on Georgia fans minds that could impact how deep of a run UGA could make in the CFP. And that is all the injuries Georgia has suffered to key players in recent weeks.

Kirby Smart spoke with the media on Monday and provided injury updates on the status of three key players for Georgia heading into this week.

Trevor Etienne Injury Update

"In terms of Trevor, we're hoping to get him back," Smart said via 247sports.com. "I mean, it's what I can tell you, I mean, he's going to have an opportunity. I mean, ribs are a painful injury, right? And I don't actually know if that's the exact term, but he does have a rib injury, and we hope to get him back." 

Running back Trevor Etienne is arguably the one player that Georgia fans are monitoring the closest. Etienne suffered a rib injury a couple weeks ago agasint Florida, and he has been really struggling with this injury since that game. He attempted to give it a go against Ole Miss last week, but it was clear that his health was far from where it needed to be.

Etienne did end up missing Saturday's game against Tennessee, which was vey scary after seeing all the other injuries in the running back room add up. So that is why it is so important to get Etienne back as soon as possible. But it is also wise to not rush him back too soon, that way he is healthy and ready to go for Georgia's potential playoff run.

Smart didn't share when he thinks Etienne will return, but it does seem like there is a little hope he will return on Saturday against UMass.

DB Joenel Aguero Injury Update

"Yeah, Joenel had a pin. So he got injured in the Ole Miss game, but he's available to play," Smart shared. "So he had to get a, I don't know the technical term for it, I don't have it with me, but he got a pin put in his hand, pinky. And he was cleared to play, but was going to struggle to play in a club. And so he practiced last week and was available to play, but he didn't get to really use the hand real well, it was a little tender. So he's in the same situation this week, but he's post screw getting put in. So we think he's going to be closer to being able to play."

According to Smart, defensive back Joenel Aguero is healthy enough to play. He is however dealing with a significant enough injury after the Ole Miss game that is forcing him top play with a club on his hand, and as one would imagine that is extremely difficult to do as defensive back.

But according to Smart, Aguero is in a spot where he is able to play. So hopefully after another week of recovery and getting used to the club, he will be fully ready to go this Saturday.

OL Micah Morris Injury Update

"Micah was close to being able to go and might have been in emergency Saturday, but he's not completely healthy. He's going to be out there working today and trying to get back in."

Offensive lineman Micah Morris is another player that Georgia needs back desperately. And thankfully it appears he is very close to making his return.

After starting five games at guard for Georgia this season, Morris did not play against Tennessee this Saturday. Thankfully that ended up not mattering as Tate Ratledge stepped up in his absense and played well enough to win SEC Co-Offensive Line Player of the Week.

But it's still extremely important that Morris gets 100 percent healthy and back on the field too. Ratledge has missed almost half of the season this year already with his own injury, so you never know when something could start bothering him again. So the sooner Morris can get back on the field the better, that way Georgia's offensive line can have as much depth as possible.