Defensive linemen return to practice

It looks as if Georgia will get back Trenton Thompson and David Marshall at a time the Bulldogs probably need a healthy defensive line.

Thompson and Marshall appear likely to play Saturday against Florida, coach Kirby Smart indicated Monday.

Thompson has missed two games with the right knee sprain he sustained in the win at Tennessee on Sept. 30. He has 17 tackles, including three for a loss, in five games, starting three.

Thompson missed the Vanderbilt and Missouri games but returned to practice last week in a limited capacity.

“Trenton was able to practice, do mostly everything. So we think he’ll be fine,” Smart said.

Marshall sat out the Missouri game Oct. 14 with an undisclosed injury. He has played in six games this year, making seven tackles. Last year Marshall started four games and had 2½ sacks.

Marshall did not practice last week, but he has since been cleared to practice, Smart said.

Georgia has the second-best run defense in the SEC, statistically, yielding just 82.1 rushing yards per game; Alabama’s defense is first.

Florida has struggled overall on offense, but it can run the ball at times.

The Gators rank seventh in the SEC in rushing yards and have accumulated at least 165 rushing yards in five straight games.