The initial availability report for Southeastern Conference games was released Wednesday night and the two teams are headed in opposite directions. This is a good thing for the Georgia Bulldogs as they're looking forward to the probable return of two key players. The Florida Gators will be missing important players and possibly more.
Georgia has two starters out for the first half in starting safety Dan Jackson and Joenel Aguero, who starts at the star position. Of course they're sitting out due to targeting calls in the second half of the victory over Texas. The Dawgs have four players who are injured with their status listed as out. True freshman defensive lineman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye recently had surgery on a lower extremity and is out for the season. Running back Roderick Robinson had turf toe surgery before the season and is very likely out for the remainder of the year. After missing all of last season with a patella tendon injury, running back Branson Robinson injured the MCL in the opposite knee against Mississippi State. Linebacker Smael Mondon has been dealing with a foot injury and is listed out for the game.
The good news for Georgia is that starting right guard Tate Ratledge and talented defensive lineman Jordan Hall are both listed as probable in the first availability report of the week. Ratledge has been out since suffering a sprained MCL and high-ankle sprain against Kentuckyon September 14th. He underwent tight-rope surgery for the ankle sprain and has been rehabbing since. Kirby Smart gave an update on Ratledge at his Tuesday press conference.
"Tate took quite a bit yesterday," Smart said in regards to the number of reps he took. "I don't know how many he took today, but I know it's more than yesterday 'cause we had more available. But we're trying to be smart in terms of his volume."
Hall suffered a stress fracture in his tibia before fall camp that required surgery. Expected to be a key cog in the defensive line rotation, the 6'4 320-pound defensive lineman suffered the same injury in his other leg just when it looked like he would join the team for fall practice in mid-August. He hasn't played in a game this season. Smart also updated his status on Tuesday.
"Jordan's done more," Smart said on Tuesday. "He still has moments where it bothers him, but I thought yesterday was Jordan's best day yet."
The availability report is not as kind to the Gators. Starting quarterback Graham Mertz is out for the season after tearing his ACL against Tennessee a couple of weeks ago. Freshman DJ Lagway has been impressive in his absence. Starting cornerback Jason Marshall is one of the most talented players on the Florida roster, but he's been ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Eugene Wilson is one of Florida's top receivers. He has been battling injuries this season and is out Saturday sue to an injured hip. Fellow receiver Kahleil Jackson will also be out. Defensive backs Jah'Keem Jackson and Asa Turner are listed as out alongside Marshall, as is defensive lineman Jamari Lyons. Starting running back Montrell Johnson and starting right guard Damieon George are both listed as questionable, as is linebacker RJ Moten.
Georgia and Florida will kick off in Jacksonville at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. The Bulldogs have won six of the last seven games against the Gators, with Florida last defeating Georgia in 2020.
Photo courtesy of UGAA
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