UGA could possibly be with out main go rusher Smith vs. No. 2 Vols

Georgia exterior linebacker Nolan Smith, the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs’ main go rusher this season, is uncertain to play in Saturday’s showdown in opposition to No. 2 Tennessee due to a shoulder harm, coach Kirby Good advised reporters on Monday.

Smith, a senior from Savannah, Georgia, was harm within the first half of the Bulldogs’ 42-20 victory in opposition to Florida and did not return. After the sport, Good stated he feared that Smith had dislocated his shoulder, nevertheless it’s believed to be a muscle harm.

Good did not solely rule Smith out from enjoying in opposition to the Volunteers, however stated he was “in all probability uncertain.”

“His availability has not been decided,” Good stated. “It doesn’t look good for availability this week. It is a pec muscle, so it is a type of offers the place we’ll do an MRI on. We’re nonetheless getting some opinions on it, however he is in all probability uncertain for this week.”

Smith leads the Bulldogs with three sacks, seven tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hurries.

With out Smith, Georgia should search for different methods to stress Tennessee quarterback Hendon Hooker, who has thrown for two,338 yards with 21 touchdowns and one interception this season. The Volunteers lead the FBS in each scoring (49.4 factors) and whole offense (553 yards) and are second in passing (353.4 yards).

Sophomore Chaz Chambliss performed properly in opposition to Florida in Smith’s absence, ending with three tackles, one sack and one sort out for loss.

Georgia’s protection ranks No. 2 within the FBS in scoring, permitting solely 10.5 factors per recreation, nevertheless it had struggled to sack the quarterback till the Florida recreation. The return of junior defensive sort out Jalen Carter, who had been sidelined for 2 video games with a knee harm, was a giant motive why.

“He regarded higher than I assumed,” Good stated. “I hope we’ll be capable to have him at full velocity.”