Veteran linebacker added to the list of Georgia players sidelined vs. Auburn: Full injury update

When the SEC availability reports came out on Wednesday, Georgia expected to see right guard Tate Ratledge, running back Roderick Robinson II, and wide receiver London Humphreys all listed as out for Week 6 against Auburn. However, a defensive starter joined the group of Bulldogs who will spend Saturday on the sidelines at Sanford Stadium. 

Senior linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. was added to the availability report and listed as out, so he will miss his first game of the season. Mondon spoke to reporters on Monday. No injury update had been provided about him coming out of Georgia’s 41-34 Week 5 loss at Alabama, so it would stand to reason that Mondon’s injury occurred at practice. 

Mondon has played the ninth most snaps on Georgia’s defense this season and the second most among off-ball linebackers behind sophomore CJ Allen. Allen has been the better tackler and more effective against the run, but Mondon is Georgia’s best coverage backer. Mondon has been targeted seven times in coverage this season and has allowed just four receptions for a total of two yards. 

In his absence, sophomore Raylen Wilson will see an uptick in snap count and Georgia will be very young in the middle of its defense. Kirby Smart and defensive coordinator Glenn Schumann haven’t just relied on Allen and Wilson at linebacker in their sophomore seasons, true freshman safety KJ Bolden has played the fourth most snaps on the team. 

Redshirt sophomore Terrell Foster is another candidate for an increased workload and two of Bolden’s freshmen classmates, CJ Cole and Justin Williams could see the field for the third time this year. Both played in Weeks 1 and 2 against Clemson and Tennessee Tech. 

Georgia Football Week 6 injury update

• Roderick Robinson II, RB: OUT (toe)
• Smael Mondon Jr. LB: OUT (undisclosed)
• London Humphreys, WR: OUT (illness)
• Tate Ratledge, RG: OUT (ankle/knee)
• Jordan Hall, DL: Questionable (leg)
• Mykel Williams, DL: Probable (ankle)
• Sacovie White, WR: Probable
• Jared Wilson, C: Probable

Robinson is still recovering from preseason surgery for a turf toe injury he suffered during fall camp, while Humphreys and Ratledge will miss their second-straight games, Humphreys with mononucleosis, and Ratledge with multiple lower-body injuries that will keep him out until November at the earliest. 

Center Jared Wilson is expected to play after leaving Week 5. Ratledge is the typical backup center, so Drew Bobo, son of offensive coordinator Mike Bobo had to replace Wilson and will start if Wilson cannot play.