Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson said Monday night that he was optimistic that quarterback Justin Thomas will play Saturday against Georgia after missing most of the Yellow Jackets’ game this past Saturday against Miami with an upper-body injury.
Johnson also said the injury was the result of a cheap shot.
“We don’t usually release that stuff till Thursday, but I’m optimistic he’s going to play,” Johnson said on his radio show Monday evening. “We’ll see.”
After practice Tuesday, Johnson was more guarded, only affirming his continued optimism and saying that Thomas was at practice.
Thomas’ backup is Matthew Jordan, a redshirt freshman who received his first substantial playing time in the 38-21 loss to the Hurricanes.
Of the injury, Johnson said, that “it was a cheap shot from behind. He’d handed the ball off and the guy came from the side and pushed him and I think his head hit the ground.”
The only play that fits that description in Thomas’ one possession was the third play of Tech’s first series. Thomas handed the ball off to B-back Patrick Skov on a second-and-9 play from the Miami 25-yard line. After Skov had cleared the exchange, Thomas took a shove from safety Dallas Crawford. Thomas fell backwards, his head hitting the turf before he rolled over.
On the TV broadcast, Thomas appeared shaken after the play but finished the series, ending it with a toss to A-back Broderick Snoddy for a five-yard touchdown run. He left the game and did not return.
Asked about Johnson’s comments Tuesday, Miami interim coach Larry Scott said that part of the officials’ job is to protect the quarterback.
“That’s what they’re out there for,” Scott told local reporters. “They were there. I’m sure they would have made the call if they felt that way.”
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