The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
UGA expects key players back vs. Notre Dame
Isaiah Wilson’s status still biggest question mark.
ATHENS — Georgia coach Kirby Smart offered some encouraging words Monday regarding the No. 3-ranked Bulldogs possibly getting back some key players from injury in time for Saturday’s game against No. 7 Notre Dame.
The biggest question mark, both literally and physically, is 6-foot-7, 340-pound offensive tackle Isaiah Wilson. His status remains highly in question. But Smart was cautiously optimistic about receivers Tyler Simmons and Demetris Robertson and some other key players who have been dealing with injuries.
Wilson, a sophomore who received some preseason All-America mentions, suffered a sprained left ankle in the opener against Vanderbilt game and then again in practice four days later. He hasn’t played in the last two games.
Sophomore Jamaree Salyer replaced Wilson against Murray State, and then sophomore Cade Mays moved outside from his right guard position this past Saturday against Arkansas State.
“Cade and Jamaree have done a good job in his absence,” Smart said at his weekly news conference Monday. “(They both) prepped for it all camp. As far as Isaiah, I won’t know much until later today (at practice). We’ll find out more (then).”
Robertson did not play this past Saturday due to what is thought to be a hamstring pull.
Simmons, a senior and unofficial captain of the Bulldogs’ receiver corps, hurt his shoulder when he was tackled out of bounds in the first quarter against the Red Wolves this past weekend and did not return.
Sophomore Kearis Jackson, who started the opener at flanker, has been out since then with fractures in his hand. Jackson has been practicing in a club cast.
“I don’t know much on any of those guys because I haven’t been able to see them yet,” Smart said. “I think Tyler Simmons is going to be fine; we think D-Rob’s going to be fine. Kearis is still injured, and we don’t know whether we’ll be able to use him or not.”
Sophomore cornerback Tyson Campbell also left last Saturday’s game with a foot injury.
“We hope he’ll be OK as well,” Smart said.
Notre Dame (2-0) also has several key injuries on the offensive side of the ball. At least two front-line players are out, while starting tight end Cole Kmet is expected to return today from a broken collarbone incurred the first day of pads in preseason practice.