Georgia starting offensive lineman carted off while Bulldogs struggle with Kentucky

Kirby Smart likely did not expect Georgia to be in a dogfight on Saturday night in Lexington, but heading into halftime of Week 3 the Kentucky Wildcats lead the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs 6-3. To make matters worse, Georgia's senior right guard Tate Ratledge left the game in the second quarter with an injury and after he was evaluated on the sidelines in the injury tent, Ratledge was carted to the locker room. 

Through the first two games of the season, Ratledge had played 84 snaps, all at right guard, and the veteran has played 1,665 snaps across his five-year career in Athens. Last season, Ratledge played 726 snaps and only allowed five pressures on Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. 

Ratledge has been replaced on the offensive line by Micah Morris, a redshirt junior who had seen most of his action in 2024 at left guard replacing Dylan Fairchild. 

Georgia’s offense under Beck stalled in the first half, gaining 65 total yards with just 32 through the air. Beck is just 5/11 for 32 yards and running back Trevor Etienne has managed only 26 yards on his nine carries. Etienne left the game with a shoulder injury, but heading into the half, Smart said that, "he may be able to come back," and that, "he's running his tail off."

Georgia’s defense has yet to allow a touchdown this season, but if the offense cannot get traction, the Bulldogs could be in trouble, especially without one of their most experienced players on the offense in the locker room with an injury.

Through the first two games of the season, Georgia's offensive line has been dominant, but Kentucky's preseason All-American Deone Walker has given the Bulldogs a lot of trouble up front.