UGA’s Pugh returns after bout with swine flu

By TIM TUCKER

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Athens — Georgia defensive back Makiri Pugh returned to practice Tuesday after being away from the team for five days, including the season opener, with swine flu.

Pugh said he went full speed in Tuesday’s practice and will be ready to play in the Bulldogs’ home opener against South Carolina on Saturday.

He said he began feeling ill and running a high fever last Wednesday night and tested positive for the H1N1 virus Thursday morning.

“I was just more devastated I couldn’t play [in the opener],” he said. “I knew I would recover pretty quickly because most people do from it. I was just disappointed I wouldn’t get to travel with the team [to Oklahoma State] and wouldn’t get to play what would have been my first game.”

Pugh, a redshirt freshman from Charlotte, said Georgia’s staff moved him out of his dorm and isolated him.

“I was well taken care of,” he said. “Not the most fun time.”

Pugh, a backup safety and nickel back, is the only UGA player known to have been diagnosed with swine flu.

“I think if a guy is going to get infected with it from a teammate, that usually manifests itself pretty quickly, so we feel we’re out of that situation,” coach Mark Richt said Tuesday. “But our guys are all over campus, and who knows who might be getting something on campus? I don’t think anybody is out of the woods across the country.”

Quarterback Joe Cox battled flu-like symptoms for two days before playing at Oklahoma State, but tested negative for H1N1.

King update

While Richt reiterated that he expects tailback Caleb King to play against South Carolina on Saturday, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said King “did not do much” at practice Tuesday.

“He was still wearing a green [non-contact] jersey,” Bobo said. “I think we’re hopeful he plays, but [he] still didn’t practice that much.”

King has been bothered by a pulled hamstring since Aug. 12 and didn’t play last week.