Georgia Tech safety Jamal Golden will miss the remainder of the season due to a shoulder injury. Golden is scheduled to have surgery this week to repair an injury suffered in the North Carolina game.
Coach Paul Johnson said that Golden actually could have played with the injury in Thursday night’s game against Virginia Tech, “but we’re not going to let him play – too much of a risk of damage. When the doctors explained the risk, it’s not worth it. He needs to get it fixed.”
Golden is the second safety to be lost for the season, along with Isaiah Johnson, who is taking a redshirt year after tearing his ACL last December. Further, Fred Holton was also being counted on to contribute this season but was dismissed from the team at the start of preseason camp for a violation of team rules.
Golden had started three games this season and was also fulfilling his role returning punts and kicks for the Yellow Jackets. A junior, Golden will be eligible to apply for a medical redshirt. NCAA rules state that an athlete can be granted an extra year of eligibility when he hasn’t played either three games or 30 percent of his team’s games, whichever is greater. Thirty percent of a 12-game schedule is 3.6 games. Golden played in three games this season.
Offensive lineman Errin Joe will also be lost for the season as he also is to undergo shoulder surgery this week. Joe had not played this season and will also be eligible for a medical redshirt.
“Tried to give it some time, but he just needs to get it fixed,” Johnson said.
