Caleb King says ‘100 percent’ he’s playing, but other injuries pile up for Dogs
(Updated 8 p.m.)
ATHENS – After entering the season “as healthy as we’ve been in a long time” — coach Mark Richt’s assessment early this month — Georgia’s football team has seen its injury list grow lengthy in a hurry.
Several key players remain questionable for Saturday’s game at Mississippi State: cornerback-punt returner Branden Smith (concussion), fullback Shaun Chapas (ankle) and offensive guard Chris Davis (knee and hip).
The news is better for Georgia on another key player, tailback Caleb King, who is expected to play Saturday after missing the past 2 ½ games with a sprained right ankle.
“I know 100 percent I’m playing in this game,” King said after practice Tuesday night.
King acknowledged that he thought he would play last week, too. This time, though, running backs coach Bryan McClendon agrees with him.
“He’s definitely going to play,” McClendon said.
Smith, who suffered a concussion in practice early last week, is “getting better,” Richt said, but has not been cleared to resume practice. As with all players who suffer concussions, Smith must pass medical tests before returning to the field.
“We think before the week is over he will have a chance” to practice, said Richt, who added: “Believe me, we will not rush a guy [after a concussion]. There is no way. We’ll be real careful with him.”
Richt and offensive coordinator Mike Bobo expressed hope that Davis and Chapas will be able to play Saturday. However, Davis was riding a stationary bike during Tuesday’s practice, and Chapas was on the field in a green non-contact jersey.
Other injury news:
- Wide receiver Kris Durham, a key part of the offense in A.J. Green’s absence, came out of a drill early in Tuesday’s practice. Durham has been battling patellar tendinitis in a knee for the past couple of weeks, “but he’s been able to go in games and I don’t think it’ll be an issue,” Bobo said.
- Inside linebacker Marcus Dowtin, who missed last week’s game with a shoulder stinger, “looks like he is going to be back,” Richt said.
- Defensive lineman Justin Anderson, who missed last week’s game with turf toe, did not practice Tuesday.
- Freshman tailback Ken Malcome, who already appeared likely to redshirt, is sidelined with a concussion suffered in practice last week.
- Freshman outside linebacker Dexter Morant underwent shoulder surgery and won’t be able to practice again until the spring at the earliest. Morant’s other shoulder also might need surgery, Richt said.
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146 comments Add your comment
Mean Machine
September 21st, 2010
4:50 pm
I think the strength and conditioning program at UGA is outdated, based on what I see on the field. Have you ever noticed CMR’s teams physically look like the FSU teams of the ’90s, finesse and speed. Watch an Alabama game, and Saban has his team looking like an NFL team. They are physically imposing. That is what is required to endure the rigors of SEC play. Georgia consistently has problems keeping guys healthy. Combine the physical stature of this team with its lack of “nastiness” attitude-wise, and it’s no wonder they get punched in the face and wilt like 7 day old lettuce.
Time to make a list?
September 21st, 2010
4:58 pm
http://thegeorgiasportsreport.blogspot.com/
Gainesville Dawg
September 21st, 2010
5:03 pm
Don’t know who some of you are, but some keep bringing up Saban as God for college football.
He could not make it in the NFL and LSU. Who are you, his staff?
Go Dawgs!!!!!!!!
ChaddChristopher
September 21st, 2010
5:07 pm
Anyone expecting King to make a meaningful difference is fooling themselves.
bulldawgbill
September 21st, 2010
5:13 pm
HOW THE HELL DID A UGA PLAYER GET A CONCUSION IN PRACTICE? WE HAVEN’T HIT ANYONE IN A GAME HARD ENOUGH TO CAUSE A CONCUSION ON THE OTHER TEAM.
Mike Bobo
September 21st, 2010
5:19 pm
I was late to Fall practice and forgot to put a playbook together, because I was too busy attending Michael Stipe look alike contests in Lower Alabama.
Corninmypooh
September 21st, 2010
5:22 pm
Chadd – I agree with you. King looked dreadful against a HS team three weeks ago. Time to file another UGA running back in the Jasper Sanks file.
Crowell… come to UGA next year and get 20 carries a game… at least.
FLA DAWG
September 21st, 2010
5:24 pm
The Return Of Caleb King. Sounds Great!
Oh Wait – There is no O Line to block for him.
Oops, I forgot that Ealy is a great Blocking Back!
Rabun Dawg
September 21st, 2010
5:25 pm
I can recall UGA once being known as “Tailback U”. Not sure that CMR or his staff really know what to look for at that position, or do they really care? We have not had a “bruiser” at that position in who knows when. Our guys , if they hit the hole, seem to go down as soon as someone trips them up. We need a power back that give you that always needed 5 to 6 yds. In other words, a Lattimore or Ingram or Richardson type. Surely there some out there that we could have a shot at, but as I said, I don’t think CMR or staff looks for that guy. Like someone else mentioned, we seem to go for the”finesse” type, whatever that is. Like FSU, seems that way to me. Chadd, you are correct, what can we really expect out of King that would make much of a difference?
FLA DAWG
September 21st, 2010
5:27 pm
Mean Machine,
I center spotted Eddie (Meat Cleaver) Weaver when he benched 500 lbs. It may have been a bounce and he did use a folded towel on his chest but he locked it out.
I wonder how many Meat Cleavers we have now as opposed to Eddie Cleavers!?
Luke
September 21st, 2010
5:30 pm
I guess if Tech fans can still bring up the score from two years ago then Georgia fans can still bring up 51-7.
Dawg_Mike
September 21st, 2010
5:32 pm
As i understand it, A Ogletree hit Branden Smith in practice last week, thus the concussion.
Ogletree is on the field for special teams….
Me thinks he needs to be in the secondary if he hits like that.
Re: Caleb- start the clock ticking as to when his next injury occurs.
Maybe we should look at Samuel again…..nah….makes too much sense….we have a 150 pound tailback instead….
Damn I’m critical today….
Stairway to the SEC cellar
September 21st, 2010
5:37 pm
There’s only 3 words to describe King’s return…. woop tee do. I know injuries have been an issue of an on for him, but King hasn’t lived up to even half the hype or his potential since since got to Athens. Outside of the GT game last year (who had a horrendous D by the way) can you think of 1 game off the top of your head where he’s done anything meaningful or spectacular?
Stairway to the SEC cellar
September 21st, 2010
5:38 pm
off and*
FLA DAWG
September 21st, 2010
5:40 pm
Dawg_Mike,
I have to tell you that I always thought Samuel was a better, tougher runner. I thought he had a down series (probably due to dopey Bobo calls and a lousy O Line).
I’d still have Sam in the backfield. My thoughts are that he just needs more ball carrying time and thereby confidence.
Big A
September 21st, 2010
5:43 pm
I probably hate Nick Saban more than anyone seeing where I am an Auburn fan. To say he couldn’t make it at LSU is retarded. He won a National Championship there before leaving for the NFL and the the most recent LSU championship was with Saban’s guys.
Greg
September 21st, 2010
5:44 pm
Durham out? Ut oh.
CDAWG
September 21st, 2010
5:51 pm
I think we need to look at Alabama’s strength and conditioning program and see if we can’t steal a few ideas.
JT
September 21st, 2010
6:01 pm
I think it would be hard for a first year coach that played receiver in college to be an effective RB coach. Someone mentioned Samuel….What a waste of a young athletic player. He is still 19. King is 22, Ealey is 20 will be 21 in June and A.J. Green is 22. But yet Samuel has kept a clean slate and a great academic record. Hope they are smart enough to redshirt him this year.
Still running untouched
September 21st, 2010
6:10 pm
Tax Jacket:
SHUT UP, you can’t beat Kansas, we whipped your best team in 20 years with our worst in 10 last year. Dawgs will improve during the year and whip that mustard @#$##@ in November.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOO DAAAAAAAAAAAWGS !
Dawg_Mike
September 21st, 2010
6:20 pm
Good points on Samuel and his lack of trouble. I believe he is currently injured, as are most of the team, it seems….
Well- here’s what our running the ball Corps looks like-
We have Ealey, who can’t pass block effectively
King, who stays hurt and IMO is a bust
Carlton Thomas- too small to be in there frequently carrying the rock….
Ken Malcome- has a concussion…..was it Ogletree again??
Dontavious Jackson- Kicked off the team
Chapas- injured……and Munzenmeier, who is not a tailback
We used to be tailback U.. my how we have fallen.
77DAWG
September 21st, 2010
6:32 pm
Our staffs is wasting Samuel talent and physique plus never really able to coach him up for LB. The time is passing by so fast, he need to play what we think he can excel. I thoght we get over with soft Willy already, now a lots of soft this soft that (coaches) came up. My God we never could rid of SO{ft)B do we?
HabershamDawg
September 21st, 2010
6:46 pm
Caleb will definatly help the Dawgs going foward. I just read this article, http://pricezack.wordpress.com/2010/09/21/are-bulldog-fans-realistic-or-optimistic-going-forward-in-2010/, it is very accurate as to how Georgia’s season might play out. It also throws in a dash of optimism at the end. Interesting read. Worth the time.
AltamahaDawg
September 21st, 2010
6:55 pm
Ealey needs King to play. Ealey is a better pure runner, but he needs King’s help. Thomas is great situational , but he is just not going to be part of the heavy lifting.
Very similar to how the other WR’s need Green back in the mix. I think they have stepped up , within thier own game but at this point we don’t have 2 WR that can take the pressure off of each other.
Bottom Dwellers
September 21st, 2010
6:59 pm
How is the view from the bottom? How does it feel to score 6 against a team, SC, that Furman scored 19 against?
Southeastern Standings
East Conf All
Florida (9) 1-0 3-0
South Carolina (12) 1-0 3-0
Vanderbilt 1-1 1-2
Kentucky 0-0 3-0
Tennessee 0-1 1-2
Georgia 0-2 1-2
Einsteindawg
September 21st, 2010
7:00 pm
Give me a break…Malcome was hurt his junior and senior years in high school; why do you think he didn’t get more offers. Just look at all the medical hardships we have. Who is the idiot evaluating our recruits?
Silver Classic
September 21st, 2010
7:09 pm
Raburn Dawg…It was USC that was known as tailback U. But no problem, keeps pace with the vastg majority of uninformed commentary founbd here. I hope potential recruits for UGA don’t read this junk….Why would anyone want to align themselves with the likes of most of those bloging here.
Barkin'Dog
September 21st, 2010
7:09 pm
Bottom Dwellers – you and those who think Furman did what UGA couldn’t don’t know football. That was a ’sandwich’ game for USC… caught between a UGA revenge game and another SEC game next week at Auburn. Your comment holds no water.
McLovin
September 21st, 2010
7:16 pm
would everyone quit shouting for Smart or Muschamp-both are not proven even if they have both been under Saban-JOHN GRUDEN-can u hear us calling-time to put up some serious money and snag a proven winner.
Cuz
September 21st, 2010
7:19 pm
Samuel has already proven he can not deliver the mail at tailback. Case closed.
buckeyedawg
September 21st, 2010
7:23 pm
can someone tell me I think Munzenmeier played for norcross as a tailback with speed and power he could be a possibility I still have faith Go Dawgs and my Bucks
Barkin'Dog
September 21st, 2010
7:24 pm
Hey, Cuz… how’s the cough? And how’s Baylie?
Cuz
September 21st, 2010
7:25 pm
Munz has seen some time at tail. He has power, little speed. Only good for short yardage downs or goal line plays.
Cuz
September 21st, 2010
7:26 pm
Baylie still has the cough. I am taking her to the doc tomorrow. I am fine. Thanks for asking. Hope you are well too.
Barkin'Dog
September 21st, 2010
7:26 pm
First, let me say I am not one who wants to remove CMR. He is entitled to a few more years to turn this program around… which I think he WILL within the next 2 seasons. But I think you folks lobbying for a new head coach are forgetting a really sharp, young coach who has performed miracles (see USC upset at home 2 years ago), by the name of Jim Harbaugh at Stanford. This is one guy who could turn the UGA program (or any other) into a perennial winner. I’d vote for him before John Gruden or even Kirby Smart (whom I think will never be offered the job due to his rejection of UGA last year).
All that being said, I still believe the Dawgs will go on a run that impresses even the most doubtful antagonists of this coaching staff. GO DAWGS – SIC ‘EM!
Barkin'Dog
September 21st, 2010
7:27 pm
Much better, Cuz… but needed antibiotics… lots of them
Sorry I may have made her and you sick… really am!
Tim
September 21st, 2010
7:52 pm
Dawgs…makes me laugh
Big Dawg
September 21st, 2010
8:23 pm
That is great that King is back however Thomas did a great job in filling in. If my memory serves me well I believe Thomas is leading in rushing for GA. We got the Backs! The issue is our OLine. There is the MAJOR CONCERN…That and the defense and the play calls by BoBo.
FLA DAWG
September 21st, 2010
8:25 pm
Hey Cuz!
Just because you say Samuel can’t run doesn’t make it so.
I guess Ealy is your guy, huh?
bitter THuga fan
September 21st, 2010
8:40 pm
coach BObo out with a sprain brain, CMR is out for the next game with a sore head!!! now the injury list is complete, no need for thanks sincerly yours , bitter
superDawg
September 21st, 2010
8:57 pm
Uga wins big in cow town,because they have to.With that said Coach Richt I hope you hold the play book for four quarters.
The view from above
September 21st, 2010
8:58 pm
It’s a shame that the Humpers are the only team that has injuries, but then again now they have excuses.
superDawg
September 21st, 2010
8:58 pm
That would be for 60min.for you tennersee fans.
PTC DAWG
September 21st, 2010
8:59 pm
Good to know the GT fans are still concerned with our program.
Just beat MSU and move on. GATA…
just a fan
September 21st, 2010
9:03 pm
hey does anyone have espn insider there is a blurb that says Murray in hot seat I just wanted to know what the whole article said
* Link
* Report this comment
Cuz
September 21st, 2010
9:17 pm
Nah, FLA. I like King for his pass blocking. He also is good in the escape valve role.
mgdawg
September 21st, 2010
9:22 pm
King said he was going to play against south carolina, I’ll believe it when I see it. I thought branden smith had “concussion like symptoms” which led me to believe this wasn’t bad at all, if he had a concussion then say it. Finally, kris durham you’re going to have to learn to live with patella tendonitis, they probable took a piece from the tendon when they did your ACL surgery and everyone that has that type of surgery always has tendonitis.
Hit A Single
September 21st, 2010
9:36 pm
We need to recruit kids that have heart, discipline, leadership and work ethic. All these make a good football player. I believe alot of our recruiting comes from combines and recruiting services. I have often wondered if Terry Hoage, a Georgia All-American and 13 NFL veteran, would have been offered a scholarship by his perfromance in a combine. This is just an example of the type of player UGA is lacking. That has been the biggest decline in the program.
WayShun Ealy
September 21st, 2010
9:37 pm
NAH, NAH, FOOL, YOU AINT GETTIN ON DA FIELD… HOW AM I GONNA DO MY VISOR WAVE CUZ?
dwoffor
September 21st, 2010
9:39 pm
All we can talk about is injuries and why we can’t get it together. At some point ole Mark has to be held accountable for his deep funk over the last couple of years. Ever since he started making a couple of million a year, the team has steadily declined in quality. Now we are underdogs to the once also rans of the SEC! It must be nice to be all laid back knocking down about $38,000 a week saying that we are making progress. 1 win against the weak sisters and 2 losses against the former dregs of the conference makes for a bright outlook on the rest of the year. Bring on Idaho State! The home record has been dismal and there are no signs that it will improve….with Richt and Bobo only mediocrity will prevail. If that’s what we want, fine…….perhaps I shouldn’t end with the word fine since it implies something that might be imposed by a court of law.