Quarterback D’Wan Mathis has not been “fully cleared” to participate in Georgia’s preseason camp, but he’s basically doing everything that needs to be done at this point.

“D’Wan is able to do passing drills, individual drills, things where we know that he can be safe and not take a hit and not risk injury,” coach Kirby Smart said before the Bulldogs’ first practice of the season Friday. “So, still don't know when he's going to be fully cleared, but I'm excited to see him go out and work today.”

Mathis had emergency surgery this summer to remove a growth in his sinus cavity that initially was feared to be a brain tumor. It was determined to be a benign growth, but the Mathis family credited Georgia’s Ron Courson, sports medicine director, with saving Mathis’ life.

Caution has been understandably high since then. But Mathis has been participating in offseason conditioning in recent weeks and is participating in all non-contact drills this week.

“He gets to do seven-on-seven, individual drills. He gets to do a lot of things,” Smart said.

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