Georgia Tech center Jay Finch’s injury status is “day to day,” coach Paul Johnson said Friday. Finch, who returned to practice last week after missing spring practice with shoulder surgery, suffered an unspecified injury that has left him unable to practice since Monday.
“I think that he may play (Friday), he may be out there Monday,” Johnson said. “It’s just kind of day to day. We’ll see.”
Johnson spoke at a kickoff luncheon at the Cobb Galleria. Johnson has said he can’t disclose the injury. Given that Finch was seen walking back from practice Wednesday without problem, it would appear to be an upper-body injury. The Yellow Jackets were to scrimmage Friday afternoon and then take the weekend off before beginning game-week preparations for the season opener against Elon Aug. 31 at Bobby Dodd Stadium.
“I know Jay wants to play,” Johnson said. “I know he wants to be out there badly, so just as soon as he can get out there, I’m sure he will be.”
Injuries to Finch and left tackle Ray Beno, as well as a surgical procedure that has kept right tackle Morgan Bailey out, have prevented the five projected starters on the line – which Johnson has said is “hands down” the best he has coached at Tech if it stays healthy – from practicing together this preseason.
“We’ve played in different positions, played on different sides of the line,” left guard Will Jackson said. “There really won’t be that big of an adjustment.”
If Finch can’t play against Elon or other upcoming opponents, Tech’s options at center are either offensive tackle Ray Beno or lineman Thomas O’Reilly, a transfer from Auburn. O’Reilly began training at center at the start of preseason camp with Finch out. Johnson said he thought that center was O’Reilly’s natural position and that he has played better than he has elsewhere.
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