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Georgia fall camp injury update: How the Bulldogs filled Jared Wilson's spot at center

Jared Wilson did not take part in team drills during Georgia's second media viewing window of fall camp which sparked speculation about a possible injury for the first-year starting center.

By Josh Yourish

Georgia offensive lineman Jared Wilson (55)
Georgia offensive lineman Jared Wilson (55) / Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK
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With Sedrick Van Pran-Grainger now getting ready for his first NFL season with the Buffalo Bills, Jared Wilson is expected to be Georgia’s starting center against Clemson in Week 1, during the last media viewing portion of fall camp practice, he was reportedly not taking part in team drills. 

Wilson was in full pads but was reportedly off to the side taking snaps on air with a few other veteran Bulldogs who Kirby Smart has confirmed are working their way back from injuries, Warren Brinson and Jordan Hall. There has been no update about Wilson’s health, but as the season approaches, there is some uncertainty surrounding the situation. 

Though he’ll likely be back well before Week 1, here’s how Georgia’s offensive line looked without Jared Wilson in at center:

  • Left tackle: Earnest Greene III
  • Left guard: Dylan Fairchild
  • Center: Tate Ratledge
  • Right guard: Micah Morris
  • Right tackle: Xavier Truss

Last season, Tate Ratledge played 725 of his 726 total offensive snaps at right tackle and was on the preseason Outland Trophy watch list. Ratledge has never taken a snap at center across his four years at Georgia. 

While Ratledge was a mainstay at right guard, Fairchild and Morris split reps at left guard last season with Fairchild playing 435 to Morris’s 393. Truss also played 126 snaps at left guard while Amarius Mims was healthy at right tackle. 

The tackle spots are intact and both Fairchild and Morris have experience, but if Wilson’s absence continues, then Georgia will be moving its best offensive lineman to an unfamiliar position and potentially weakening the entire unit. Wilson played 111 snaps at center last year and when he was a full participant on August 1, he was flanked by Fairchild at left guard and Ratledge to his right.

Wilson was a 2021 three-star recruit who has two years of eligibility remaining. Considering the inexperience at center, he could be the most indispensable offensive lineman for Georgia, despite being the only first-year starter.

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