UGA starting receiver out for year

Athens — Who, other than A.J. Green, will catch passes for Georgia this season?

That question, asked throughout spring practice as the Bulldogs seek to replace the production of the graduated Mohamed Massaquoi, became more problematic Wednesday when the team learned that rising senior Kris Durham will undergo shoulder surgery and miss the 2009 season.

“Depth is a concern for me, for us, at the receiver position,” offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said.

Bobo said Georgia needs “at least six receivers that can play,” and Durham, despite only 13 catches last season, figured prominently in that group before injuring his left shoulder two weeks ago.

He’ll have surgery on a torn labrum next month, take a redshirt season and play as a fifth-year senior in 2010, coach Mark Richt said Wednesday.

“It is going to push other receivers to the forefront [for 2009],” Richt said.

In addition to the “very consistent” Michael Moore, Bobo said Tony Wilson “is going to have to play for us” after missing most of last season with an ankle injury, and Tavarres King “has got to step it up and be more consistent.” Bobo said signees Marlon Brown and Rantavious Wooten, who arrive this summer, will need to get ready to play quickly.

Richt said two other incoming freshmen — tight end Orson Charles and cornerback Branden Smith — might be able to help at receiver.