Kirby Smart says Bulldogs are ‘wounded,’ provides injury update on several players
ATLANTA — Georgia defeated Alabama 28-7 in Saturday’s SEC championship game on Saturday, but there was a price to be paid with that level of physicality.
The Bulldogs dealt with several absences and injuries, prompting Kirby Smart to voice concern with playing a ninth SEC game, which will start next season.
“They were wounded,” Smart said. “We were wounded.”
Wide receiver Noah Thomas played in the game but left early and was replaced in the lineup by CJ Wiley.
“He had back spasms. He was trying to go,” Smart said.
Zachariah Branch led the team in receiving yards with 53 on 5 receptions. He scored Georgia’s final touchdown of the afternoon.
Georgia defensive back Joenel Aguero also did not play Saturday. Aguero, who Smart indicated is dealing with a wrist injury, started every game for Georgia this season at the star position.
In his place, freshman Rasean Dinkins got the start. He’s seen an uptick in snaps during the month of November, but that was a byproduct of Georgia being in so many blowouts.
Dinkins finished the game with one tackle. JaCorey Thomas led the team in tackles with six.
“He had the opportunity to step up and he handled it the right way,” cornerback Daylen Everette said of Dinkins. “He didn’t go up there and make it bigger than it was.”
Georgia was without starting center Drew Bobo, as he deals with a foot injury that could sideline him for the rest of the season. Malachi Toliver started at center.
Georgia running back Chauncey Bowens returned to action, but he left in the fourth quarter after picking up a 19-yard run. Bowens missed the previous two games with a leg injury.
One pregame note was that freshman tight end Ethan Barbour was working out with the team, opening up the possibility that he could be back for the College Football Playoff. Barbour suffered an ankle injury against Austin Peay in Georgia’s second game of the season.
Georgia football injury report
- Noah Thomas — back — left the game
- Joenel Aguero — wrist — did not play
- Zion Branch — Did not play — questionable
- Drew Bobo — left foot — out
- DB Kyron Jones — foot — out
- RB Bo Walker — jaw — out
- DL Jordan Hall — leg — out
- WR Colbie Young — leg — out
- TE Ethan Barbour — ankle — out
- DB Ondre Evans — knee — out
About the Author
Connor Riley has been covering the University of Georgia since 2014 before moving to DawgNation full-time before the 2018 season. He helps in all areas of the site such as team coverage, recruiting, video production, social media and podcasting. He graduated from the University of Georgia in 2016.
