Georgia coach Mark Richt had some good news regarding Sony Michel. He said the shoulder injury suffered by the freshman tailback against Tennessee this past Saturday won’t require surgery to repair.
The bad news is the dynamic young play-maker probably won’t be back on the field any time real soon.
“It’s hard to say when (Michel might return),” Richt said on Tuesday. “Ron will keep a good eye on that.”
“Ron” is UGA director of sports medicine Ron Courson. And he has been a very busy man lately.
In addition to Michel’s shoulder separation, Courson has been dealing with the broken thumbs of tailback Nick Chubb (left) and cornerback Damian Swann (right). Right tackle Kolton Houston was back on the field Tuesday after suffering a shin and ankle injury.
Meanwhile, Courson is trying to nurse receivers Malcolm Mitchell (knee) and Jonathon Rumph (hamstring) back into the playing rotation. Richt said the Bulldogs expect Mitchell, who practiced in partial pads on Tuesday, to play “barring a setback.” He said Rumph remains doubtful.
As for the sudden lack of depth at tailback behind starter Todd Gurley, Richt expressed confidence in sophomore Brendan Douglas stepping up into the third position.
“He’s ready; he’s ready every week,” Richt said of Douglas, who played in 12 games last season and rushed for 345 yards and scored four touchdowns. “He works hard and gets reps in practice. It’s not like all of the sudden we’ve got to get him reps at tailback. He’s been getting a bunch of reps and he’ll be ready. Obviously he’s played in a bunch of games in the past. We’ve got a lot of faith in him.”
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