The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

» LeCounte back with team after hospital release,

- By Chip Towers chip.towers@ajc.com

ATHENS — Georgia safety Richard LeCounte was released from Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital on Wednesday and got to see his teammates briefly. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs remain hopeful that All-SEC nose guard Jordan Davis will be able to play against No. 8 Florida on Saturday in Jacksonvil­le, Florida.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart provided those updates Wednesday during the SEC coaches’ teleconfer­ence call.

“(LeCounte) was released, and he came over and was in the training room yesterday and was able to get some different treatment and some rehab,” Smart said.

LeCounte suffered a concussion as well as cuts, scrapes and impact injuries to his shoulder and ribs in a motorcycle/car accident Saturday night, just hours after the Bulldogs returned from a road win over Kentucky. The All-SEC safety is definitely out against the Gators, and a timeline for his return has yet to be establishe­d.

LeCounte will be missed when it comes to the challenge of defending Florida’s All-American tight end Kyle Pitts. The 6-6, 239-pound junior leads the Gators with 22 receptions and seven touchdowns and averages 88.75 yards receiving. He’s a particular­ly difficult matchup because he combines tremendous size with wideout speed, and Florida deploys him from multiple formations.

“Well, we’ve got some guys who have played between Chris (Smith) and Lewis (Cine),” Smart said. “Chris has played extensivel­y quite a bit, last week and the Auburn game, I guess it was. I value practice a lot, and the kid has worked hard and played a lot in practices. We’ve got other guys who have repped at safety as well between Major Burns and (Latavious) Brini, Tyrique (Stevenson). We have depth there. They’ve got a great challenge and an opportunit­y. That’s what I see it as.”

Cine missed the last three quarters of the Kentucky game with an ankle injury, but will be able to play Saturday.

Davis, a preseason All-SEC candidate, suffered an elbow injury early in the 14-3 win over Kentucky and has been unable to practice. Smart described Davis’ status for Saturday’s game as day to day.

“We’re trying to get him, even if it’s just in a role. We think he could play a role in the game and hopefully he’ll be able to do that,” Smart said.

Davis is a primary reason the Bulldogs lead the SEC and rank fifth nationally against the rush.

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