Smith injury thought not to be long-term

While the Bulldogs could play without their leading tackler for some of spring practice, Roquan Smith’s injury does not appear to be long-term.

That’s according to several people close to the player and the team, who indicated that Smith, a rising junior inside linebacker, could return later in spring practice.

“He might be limited to begin with. As far as being out (for spring), I don’t think so,” said Roy Yoder, who served as a mentor to Smith in high school and said he spoke with a family member about the injury.

The team has not announced any injury to Smith and has not been revealing injuries this offseason. Dawgpost.com, which first reported Smith’s injury Monday, said it was an injury to a pectoral (chest) muscle.

Smith’s mother, Shaquana Thomas, said in a brief conversation that she would leave it to her son or coach Kirby Smart to talk about the injury. But she said her son is “doing well, and it’ll be fine.”

Smith led Georgia with 95 tackles last season, starting most of the season at inside linebacker. He forced two fumbles and had five tackles for loss.

Georgia has plenty of depth at inside linebacker, with rising junior Natrez Patrick and rising senior Reggie Carter both back, along with Juwan Taylor (who will be a junior), Jaleel Laguins (sophomore), Tae Crowder (sophomore) and early enrollee Monty Rice.

The Bulldogs will definitely be without at least one projected starter on defense this spring, with lineman Trent Thompson withdrawing from classes after a recent medical scare. The only starter definitely gone from last season’s defense is nickel back Maurice Smith.