Kirby Smart may not have his secret weapon ready for Week 1

An update on punter Brett Thorson's injury has officially been given.
Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs punter Brett Thorson (92) punting during the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images
Dec 3, 2022; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs punter Brett Thorson (92) punting during the first quarter against the Georgia Bulldogs in the SEC Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images | John David Mercer-Imagn Images

Kirby Smart knows that a football team is nothing without a solid special-teams group. For Smart, there is one player on his special-teams unit that he takes a lot of pride in, and that is punter Brett Thorson. Thorson missed the College Football Playoff after having surgery on his knee following the SEC Championship win over Texas.

Thorson has been doing well with his recovery and rehab, and now he is working to make his return for Georgia this season. At media availability at fall camp, special teams coordinator Kirk Benedict gave an update on Thorson and when he will return to the field after not participating in practice, and it may not be exactly what fans want to hear.

"He's on schedule, he's doing great, he's doing everything the training room has asked him to do, and probably more, but he's eager, I know," Benedict said. "Obviously, the training room has certain guidelines they gotta meet and whatnot, so he's right on track, he's doing well."

That statement doesn't make it fully clear that Thorson will be good to go for Georgia's season-opener against Marshall on August 30. Thorson is a preseason first-team All-SEC selection and first-team All-American, so Smart will really want him on the field as much as he can get him.

It doesn't matter what position you play; they all contribute, and when the Bulldogs can't get down the field, pinning the opposing team deep so the defense can go to work is so important. Thorson will return at some point for the Bulldogs this season, but there is no true timetable on when that will be.

It seems like he is staying up with his rehab and doing everything he can to be on the field, but ultimately, it comes down to the training room and whether he is truly cleared to play or not.