J.J. Green is back with the defensive backs. For now.
Whether he stays there could depend on future developments at Georgia’s tailback position.
“I think it would depend if we heard some news on Todd (Gurley) and when we heard it and what the news was,” Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said after Wednesday’s practice. “There’s always a chance J.J. could come back (to offense) next week. We hope he doesn’t have to.”
UGA on Wednedsay applied for Gurley’s reinstatement with the NCAA on Wednesday. If that eligibility request is denied, Green could move back to offense. He traveled to Arkansas this past weekend as the Bulldogs’ No. 3 tailback but did not play in the game.
Green, a sophomore from Kingsland, moved to offense last week after playing defensive back since this past spring. Green played tailback as a freshman last season but was back at his safety position in the Bulldogs’ full-contact practice on Wednesday.
Even if Gurley is cleared to return to the field next week, Georgia will remain thin at tailback. Freshman Sony Michel has yet to return to practice since suffering a broken shoulder blade against Tennessee on Sept. 27. And while junior Keith Marshall is practicing this week, Richt indicated he’s not ready to compete in a game.
“I’m not real optimistic right now from what I’ve seen,” Richt said. “I’m not saying that he couldn’t play, but right now I wouldn’t say Keith is lighting it up right now. He’s still kind of feeling his way, in my opinion.”
Only freshman Nick Chubb (68 carries, 345 yards) and Brendan Douglas (16-75) have carried the football for Georgia the last two weeks.
About the Author
