UGA Football coach Kirby Smart Provides Injury Updates for Game with Clemson Tigers
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ATHENS - UGA Football coach Kirby Smart is days away from playing a huge game against the No. 14 Clemson Tigers and coach Dabo Swinney. On Monday, Kirby provided a slew of injury updates for the No. 1 Bulldogs as they get set to open the season.
The Bulldogs’ defensive line has been trying to get healed up before the test against the Tigers. Both Xzavier McLeod and Warren Brinson have been working through injuries.
A week ago Brinson was “working his way back” to play in the season opener after “dealing with a little bit of Achilles.”
"Warren looks good," Kirby said Monday. "He's been out there every day we've had for Clemson. He missed some time at camp, but he's had four camps."
McLeod, a South Carolina transfer, has “been pushing through and working through” what Kirby described as “a little bit of an injury.”
The head coach said last week UGA was uncertain when McLeod would return.
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Linebacker Smael Mondon is expected to play for the Bulldogs this weekend. Mondon has more tackles than anyone in the UGA program over the last two years (144 total tackles).
Running back Roderick Robinson is not expected to play this week. Kirby said a week ago that he was uncertain when Robinson could return to the Bulldogs.
“Roderick's dealing with a little bit of a turf toe, and I don't know when he's going to become or be available,” he said last week. On Monday, Kirby confirmed that Robinson had surgery on his toe.
"Rod's toe is still an issue for him," Kirby said of the Dawgs' returning leading rusher. "He did have surgery on his toe. He will probably be week-to-week.”
Branson Robinson, who has recovered from a ruptured patella tendon he suffered a year ago, should be ready to play against the Tigers. Kirby said Robinson would be limited during fall camp - “He will start practice without limitations, but we will have some load management with him.”
“Branson is a really hard worker,” Kirby said last week. “He's just a tough mentally and physically kid. It's been great having him back from a physical toughness standpoint, a reliability standpoint, ball security, third down pickups, special teams. He's just a really good football player.”
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Projected starter Jared Wilson was back with the No. 1 offensive line for the Dawg’s final scrimmage of August. That means he’s expected to play against Clemson, and it also means the Bulldogs have built depth on the offensive line with Drew Bobo and starting right guard Tate Ratledge both playing heavy snaps at center this summer.
At receiver, Kirby said Miami transfer Colby Young is expected to play.
"He's been great," Kirby said of Young. "He's been able to get out there and run. He should be ready to go."