UGA’s Jacob Eason ‘closer’ to return

Injured Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason watches as Jake Fromm warms up for the team's game against Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Athens.

Credit: Curtis Compton

Credit: Curtis Compton

Injured Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason watches as Jake Fromm warms up for the team's game against Mississippi State on Saturday, Sept. 23, 2017, in Athens.

Jacob Eason is “closer” to being able to return to the field, but Kirby Smart still isn’t saying whether that would mean he would return to his starting spot, or if Jake Fromm would retain it.

“I want the one that gives us the best opportunity to win,” Smart said on Monday. “Now who is that, I don’t know that yet. It’s based on performance in practice.”

Eason dressed for Saturday’s game against Mississippi State, though he wasn’t cleared to play. Smart did not say Monday whether Eason would be on the 70-man travel roster for Saturday’s game at Tennessee, but indicated it was likely.

Smart said he didn’t know whether Eason would be available to play, and would depend on how he looks at practice.

“We think he’s closer,” Smart said. “We’ll find out a lot more today, based on the reps he takes.”

Eason sprained a knee ligament in the first quarter of Georgia’s season opener, and was replaced by Fromm, who has led the team to four wins. Eason started 12 games last year.

“Jacob has to focus on getting healthy, getting 100 percent,” Smart said. “Jake Fromm has to focus on keep improving.”

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