2 min read • December 29, 2022
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When the No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs walk onto the field in the Georgia Dome for the Peach Bowl, it will have been 28 days since the team’s last game. This would have given them a month to get healthy for the team’s matchup against No. 4 Ohio State.
But, over the last few weeks, head coach Kirby Smart hasn’t given the media too much information on which players are healthy and will play. So, we have to just look at who could still be battling through injury.
In the Bulldogs’ rout of LSU in the SEC Championship Game, two starters had to leave the game due to injuries. A knee injury took out the team’s number-one wide receiver Ladd McConkey. He ranks second in receiving yards and receptions in the Georgia offense, with 51 receptions for 675 yards.
Also, right tackle Warren McClendon suffered an upper-leg injury against LSU and did not return. McClendon has started 37 consecutive games for the Bulldogs. His ability to play through injury has been evident in his Georgia career, and it doesn’t seem like this week will break his consecutive games played streak.
In a Vague statement in Monday’s press conference, Smart discussed both players’ injuries.
“We’re excited to get those guys hopefully back,” Smart said, “and we’ll see how they do this week.”
So, he didn’t rule either play out but didn’t give the nod that they will be playing. He’s trying to stay ambiguous so that the other team doesn’t gain an advantage in preparing for the game.
But, even if both guys are out, it won’t destroy the passing Georgia offense, which runs through tight end Brock Bowers. Also, McClendon is listed as the co-starter. So, the team must have faith in their other right tackle option.
Georgia is favored by 7.5 points against Ohio State, and the over/under is 58.5, according to FanDuel Sportsbook.
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