ATHENS — Georgia football coach Kirby Smart said inside linebacker Monty Rice was back running at practice on Tuesday.
“Monty was able to move around and do some things, he did a little more as practice went on,” Smart said on Tuesday night. “We hope that he’s going to be able to do more tomorrow. He ran some today, he cut some, he did some things.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean that Rice, who has missed the past two games after injuring his left foot in pregame warmups before the the UMass game (Nov. 17), will be ready to play against Alabama.
Rice is second on the team with 59 tackles even though he has missed three games this season.
The No. 4-ranked Georgia football program (11-1) plays the No. 1-ranked Crimson Tide (12-0) at 4 p.m. on Saturday in the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Smart indicated that even if Rice were to play, he’ll stick to the same approach the Bulldogs have used all season at the linebacker position.
“It’ll be by-committee,” Smart said. “We’ve had to play other guys. Channing (Tindall) has played some. Quay (Walker) is beginning to step up and play.
“Natrez (Patrick) is dinged up and keeps pushing through. We’re a wounded-warrior unit when it comes to defense, especially at the linebacker position because Juwan (Taylor) and Tae (Crowder) continue to push through and Natrez is a little beat up.”
Smart said redshirt freshman linebacker Robert Beal continues to be injured.
On offense, freshman Trey Hill continued to work with the first team at right guard in Tuesday’s practice. Freshman Cade Mays (shoulder) still sidelined and Ben Cleveland appearing less than 100 percent while working with the second team.
On defense, tackle DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle continues to practice and Smart indicated he could be available for the Alabama game.
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