Knee injury ends Marlon Brown’s UGA career (updated)
For the second time this fall, Georgia’s football team lost a key wide receiver to a season-ending knee injury.
Marlon Brown will undergo surgery and miss the remainder of his senior season as a result of a left ACL injury suffered during Saturday’s victory over Ole Miss, Georgia coach Mark Richt said Sunday.
“His career at Georgia will be over, or is over,” Richt said. “… We’re very sad and sorry it happened for Marlon – and for Georgia, too.”
Nine games into the season, Brown is tied with Tavarres King for the team lead in receptions (career-high 27) and is second on the team to King in receiving yards (career-high 469). Brown finishes his UGA career with 55 catches for 851 yards and eight touchdowns (four this season).
His injury came one month after fellow receiver Michael Bennett sustained a season-ending ACL tear in his right knee at practice. Bennett led the team in catches and receiving yards at the time of his injury.
Unlike Bennett, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining, Brown was in his fourth and final season. But Richt predicted a full recovery and an NFL future for the 6-foot-5, 222-pound Brown, who came to UGA from Memphis as a highly touted recruit in 2009.
“That is an injury people recover from well,” Richt said, “and we know he’ll continue on (to) his pro career, because I think he was well on his way to having that happen for him.
“He will do fine. It’s just a hard thing to swallow right now.”
In Georgia’s 37-10 win over Ole Miss, Brown had three catches for a team-high 113 yards, including a memorable 66-yard touchdown on a second-quarter trick play.
The injury occurred in the third quarter as Brown was tackled following a 30-yard reception. Richt indicated after the game that the tackle did not strike him as a dirty play. He didn’t elaborate on that Sunday.
“I didn’t really study that (on film),” he said. “… We didn’t just sit there and labor over that.”
Before the injuries to Bennett and Brown, wide receiver was perhaps Georgia’s deepest position. The team’s top remaining receivers are King and Malcolm Mitchell, and Richt said more opportunities will come for Rantavious Wooten, Chris Conley, Rhett McGowan and Justin Scott-Wesley.
“We still have some playmakers,” Richt said. “… But Marlon and Michael were just two outstanding football players . … And they actually had a nice physicality to them them (at) that position. We’ll miss that. Other guys are just going to have to step up and get after it.”
Meanwhile, the status of another starting offensive player injured against Ole Miss is unclear for Georgia’s game at Auburn on Saturday. Right guard Chris Burnette suffered what UGA described as a left shoulder contusion in the second quarter against the Rebels and did not return to the game. His status is day-to-day, Richt said Sunday.
– Tim Tucker
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
156 comments Add your comment
Buckeye
November 5th, 2012
7:59 am
Too bad for the kid
Neutral
November 5th, 2012
8:07 am
Good luck Pal…….we will miss you, but I’m sure we will see you playing on Sundays for years to come. DGD
jimjones
November 5th, 2012
8:33 am
Trae Elston is a dirty player. Grabbing another player by the lower leg and foot and doing a full roll without letting go of that leg and foot is dirty. Marlon Brown said something immediately to Trae Elston, the moment it happened. Trae has been suspended before for dirty play, and the league needs to look in to this. Collegiate football doesn’t need player like him.
RedandBlackDAWG
November 5th, 2012
8:46 am
Shep
November 4th, 2012
8:29 pm
You didn’t forget about Mitchell, Conley or our young recruit from 2011. They may not have as much experience but I think they can all have an effect and play good football. Let’s keep in mind that this was really the first year that M. Brown has played a bunch due to injuries previously, so the other folks will just have to work hard and take up the slack. Mitchell, especially, can fill in pretty well, and has a lot of talent.
tardawg
November 5th, 2012
9:09 am
Could he get a medical red shirt and return Next year if he wanted?
Bulldogs for Muschamp Lifetime Contract
November 5th, 2012
9:09 am
This is a shame for Marlon Brown, a DGD.
The injury was on the helmet to the knee but the twisting sure didn’t help.
Gotta have someone else step up or maybe get Jay Rome more involved in 2 TE sets with Lynch, kinda a hybrid.
Just beat Auburn. Lord help us all if that didn’t happen
flagboy?
November 5th, 2012
9:16 am
Bad news for the Dawgs and M. Brown. Best of luck with a successful surgery and rehab.
gafanintn
November 5th, 2012
9:19 am
Is there a link to the hit? I did not get to see the game…
PaulPaul
November 5th, 2012
9:25 am
Definitely a tough injury to a good young man. He will have a career at second level.
For those worried about his replacement look to Chris Conley to step up and make a contribution. My next door neighbor is a coach who told me when we signed him we got a top notch player with a lot of character. Remember the fourth down catch on Florida in 2011. He has good size, speed and hands. My coach friend also told me we dodged a bullet by not getting Da’ Rick that year when we signed Conley. That was sure prophetic.
Good luck to Marlon.
PR
November 5th, 2012
9:33 am
Marlon Brown… DGD
Go Dawgs… Beat Auburn!
mt
November 5th, 2012
9:38 am
I remember seeing him in the either the US Army All American or Armour All high school game, hard to believe his career at Georgia is done. Thanks Marlon, best of Luck, NFL or otherwise.
DIT
November 5th, 2012
9:44 am
Bobo needs to find a way to be creative. Use TE’s more, screens, delayed screens, spread out the offense, whatever it takes.
I hate it for marlon because he was really putting up some good numbers this year. I hope that an NFL team will give him an opportunity next year.
bigdawg88
November 5th, 2012
9:51 am
Get well soon Marlon! Hoping the Falcons pick you up next year. White, Jones, and Brown. Man, Matty might throw for 6K yards!
kingdaddy
November 5th, 2012
9:53 am
I look for Wesley to step-up. Kid has a ton of talent and now will get more looks. Sorry for Marlon, we will miss him. He is a great player and I hope he recovers quickly and moves on to the next level….
truedawg
November 5th, 2012
9:55 am
Sad news for Brown. He’s been a great player, and was held back with injuries his whole career. I wish him a speedy recovery and a great NFL career. Now Dawgs go out and get him a ring!! GATA!!
joe jenkins
November 5th, 2012
10:02 am
I said long before the season started that we would win the MNC if we stayed healthy at key positions and we didnt have a bundle of suspendions…..Well we haven’t and we did….plus we had to have a solid FG kicker….we surely haven’t had that.
abry jones-ankle
marlon brown-acl
michael bennett-acl
jarvis jones-groin injury
chris burnette-shoulder
It’s just shame that with the easiest schedule in the last 20 yrs….that we wont win the mnc…..because of the suspendsions hurt cohesion and injuries to key players….plus no fg kicker….I dont think we will ever win the mnc with richt…because we will always have suspended and injred players key to our teams wining a championship…it’s not because he cant coach…..he most certainly can…i know most of yall want to blame the o-line…but looking back on them they have opened enough holes for todd gurley to get a 100 yds in most games….We win championships at uga with stellar skill players and not with lineman….it sure does seem that way under richt
robodawg
November 5th, 2012
10:03 am
Best wishes and many blessings to Marlon. Sure enjoyed watching him play. A DGD for sure.
I-DOG
November 5th, 2012
10:03 am
Marlon should be proud of the way he has hung in there against adversity and got a little better each year before having the break out season this year.
Rotten luck for the young man, injuries just seem to find him. I hope that it doesn’t affect his NFL career too dramatically.
I-DOG
November 5th, 2012
10:18 am
Joe Jenkins:
Not so fast on the excuses with the injuries and suspensions.
Georgia has not been hit that hard with injuries this season. Until yesterday, we didn’t have multiple injuries at one position. We have been virtually injury free in the secondary, we have been very healthy at linebacker (Jarvis only missed one game that he probably could have played in, but it was smart to let his nagging injuries get healthy against KY). We have been pretty healthy on the defensive line. I could see the excuse of missing out on this golden opportunity if we lost both NG’s for the season early on. That would change things for UGA quite a bit, but that isn’t what happened.
We have been very healthy on the thin offensive line until today and we have a couple of guys that have developed and can step in at this late point of the season. If we lost 3 starters early on it certainly would have been a disaster and a reasonable excuse.
At RB we have been very healthy this year. Look at the depth at fullback even though we are currently missing our first two fullbacks. They should be coming back in the next game or two, but maybe Zander will start the rest of the season anyway based on his play in the last two games.
At QB, Murray hasn’t missed a snap and at Wide receiver (the deepest position on the team) we had one injury until game 8 and now we have a second. That does hurt, but coach Richt and Bobo have the luxury of using Mitchell full time more and Connelly, Wooten, and JSW aren’t exactly scraping the botto of the barrell.
As far as the suspensions, that isn’t luck, it is stupidiy. Some of it demonstrated by senior “leaders” who are All SEC and All Amerian candidates. Those suspensions mostly effected games like Buffalo and Florida Atlantic.
This staff had plenty of fire power this year and while it would have been nice not to have any injuries. Past years at UGA have been MUCH MUCH worse and injuries will happen in college football.
Tech Fan
November 5th, 2012
10:24 am
Never a fun for way for it to end. Sad to hear for Brown and I wish him the best in the future.
But I am least a little happy he won’t be playing against my Jackets in 3 weeks…
If Hugh Freeze has any bag at all
November 5th, 2012
10:30 am
he’ll suspend him. But he doesn’t.
He thinks he will be the one to make Ole Piss a winner.
Good luck with that douchenozzle.
dawgfacedboy
November 5th, 2012
10:38 am
I’m taking the selfish approach. This is a big loss for the team. Brown will be fine. He will rehab and make some money in the NFL. He is a 6′5 receiver that was having a career year. Not good for our passing attack.
LawDawg
November 5th, 2012
10:39 am
Good luck, Marlon. Bulldawg nation is pulling for you to recover and do well int he future.
NCDawg
November 5th, 2012
10:47 am
That sux… no other way to say it.
NCDawg
November 5th, 2012
11:04 am
Circus World Daily – you may not like CMR and staff but this is not the place for such childishness. The story we are commenting on here is about a young man who was finally coming into his own and was injured so severely that he will have to spend months rehabbing his knee to even hope to play again. His draft prospects just went down the tubes. He spent portions of every season with various injuries that hampered his progress as a wide receiver and now, just as he is making his mark, he is injured again. And you, the real clown, post that BS in the middle of a blog full of well wishers.
There is no excuse for it. I’d say “I hope you’re ashamed of yourself” but I know that it is waste of breath. A heartless, blithering idiot like you wouldn’t have enough decency to feel shame.
Basspro2150
November 5th, 2012
11:05 am
Marlon has added so much to the UGA offense. You will be missed. Best wishes in the future and good luck in the NFL.
Basspro2150
November 5th, 2012
11:07 am
CWD you are such an AH
DAWG4LIFE
November 5th, 2012
11:14 am
#7 CONTINUED TO TWIST BROWN’S LEG AFTER THE PLAY-ABSOLUTLEY DIRTY
RxDawg
November 5th, 2012
11:20 am
Poor Brown… I really do hate that. Your career may be over, but you’ll always be a Dawg. You were a fan favorite. Ironically enough, I suspect our running game will take more of a hit then our passing game from this injury. Richt even hinted to that talking about Brown and Bennet’s physicality.
Rob in Chapel Hill
November 5th, 2012
11:31 am
Re: Injuries, I join everyone in sending best wishes and prayers to Marlon Brown. We just have to be satisfied with all the great players that he’s given us so far, and know that he’s played a critical role in getting the Dawgs to this point. Let me back-track for a moment and say the same to Michael Bennett and Abry Jones. Wish all of them a speedy recovery.
Re: BCS speculation, to heck with even thinking about that nonsense for now. All that matters is winning the game of the week. Just keep focusing and working and winning on Saturday. As for Auburn, check out “Georgia vs. Auburn Revenge 2011″ on YouTube if you need a boost this week.
Re: coaching, it’s interesting to think about the perception of Saban, vs. others like Richt. Bama in some ways for fortunate to beat LSU, and of course they also seized the opportunity at the end and made the most of it. But they easily could have lost that game. Among other mistakes, Miles should not have tried the last field goal. I’m just a football fan, but it was obvious even to me BEFORE that last field goal try that he was probably going to miss and they were going to give Bama too-good field position. Given the performance of LSU’s defense, they should have pooched it inside the ten and made Bama’s task much more difficult. So, we might say that Bama won “ugly” and was fortunate, to a degree. But that is not the general perception. It’s more like, Saban comes through again, etc. The Dawgs’ wins against UK and even Fla, heck, even most of the earlier wins, tend to get cast as “ugly” wins. I suppose my point is that the CMR haters should give more credit, and a W is a W, in most cases. Or something like that.
DirtyDawg
November 5th, 2012
11:33 am
I’ve watched the replay several times, including the pre-game pep talk from their coach Freeze. The CBS guys really made a lot of his telling his guys ‘not to blink’…that they had ‘more heart’…that they’ll reach the ‘promised land’. Too bad he didn’t suggest that they shouldn’t, intentionally, try and twist an opponent’s leg off, cause that would be in poor form – unless, of course, you holler ‘hotty-totty’ whille you’re doing it…then again maybe that’s what he means by ‘not blink’ – just ‘twist and pull’. I sure would like to know what CMR plans to say to that Freeze guy, or McGarity to whothehellever is in charge at the SEC – Slive, or Slime, whoever – about this incident. It may have been out of frustration – he knew they were gettin beat and couldn’t handle it so he resorted to who he was…but thats no excuse. All I know is he needs to be ‘dealt’ with…the POS.
joe jenkins
November 5th, 2012
11:34 am
@ I-dog…..I see what you are saying. Going into columbia i think if these guys had not been suspended…rambo and commings would not have been rusty….malcom mitchell would have played five games at his natural position..their for probably would have had a bigger game…if bennett does not tear his acl….i’m just saying right before halftime we are about to score…sure would have been nice to have our best wr out there in that situation…we score there we change the momentum of the game….with jarvis you see him have one good game and the next week he struggles…its because of that nagging groin injury…..i know the injury bug has not hit us that bad. it’s just who the injuries have happened to!!!
bennett…brown…king and mitchell….now thats a championship lineup material right their….
wooten…conley….are backups for a reason and we are going to find out just why sat….we all better hope the defense plays the best they have played all year…because we will be lucky to score 21 points on the terrible tigers….lord i hope i’m wrong
monty
November 5th, 2012
11:35 am
Marlon was becoming our go to guy. Shame. Good luck on your future Marlon.
monty
November 5th, 2012
11:37 am
They didn’t show a replay but when it happened I thought something looked wrong about the tackle. If it was dirty , that kid should be suspended.
joe jenkins
November 5th, 2012
12:15 pm
Here i will ranks our WR”S in order
1.bennett
2.mitchell
3.brown
4. king
5.wooten
6.conley
7.mcgowan
8.bradberry
9.jsw
anybody disagree?
Sam
November 5th, 2012
12:21 pm
First, we lose Bennett. Now Brown. Great.
WDE
November 5th, 2012
12:27 pm
Marlon best of luck to you in your future you are and always will be a DGD!
Classic
November 5th, 2012
12:38 pm
Mitchell has not impressed. He dances more than he runs.
joe jenkins
November 5th, 2012
12:57 pm
@ classic your a moron or worse your a tech nerd…..I guess mitchell’s winning td ….dont mean anything to you…..he is our best wr and he is a trash talker….and i hope keeps on showing emotion
Ed
November 5th, 2012
1:10 pm
Tough break for Brown and the Dawgs, especially looking ahead to a likely spot in the SECCG. In a way this could help. The key to beating Alabama (other than great defense and solid special team play) would be a solid, mistake-free performance on offense. That would require a short, ball-control type passing game involving the tight ends and running backs more. Less temptation for Murray to go downfield against a top defense. Let’s face it, that hasn’t worked out for him against the best teams in the past.
And I’m a realist – I know that a win over Bama is long-shot regardless. But I think a mistake-free Georgia has the potential to beat anyone.
Jim
November 5th, 2012
1:38 pm
It’s bad when anyone gets hurt. Our first thoughts must be for the complete recovery of the player and my thoughts and prayers are with you Marlon. I saw that you were hurt on the play and also thought there was uncalled for twisting of the leg. Knowing Coach Richt’s nature he is not going to say it was a dirty play to the public but we don’t know what actions could be taken behind closed doors through the proper channels. Best of luck to you Marlon with your recovery. I look forward to seeing you play on Sundays.
L.A. BULLDAWG
November 5th, 2012
2:23 pm
GOD BLESS YOU MARLON! WORK HARD IN YOUR REHAB! YOUR FUTURE AT THE NEXT LEVEL IS BRIGHT! THANK YOU FOR COMING TO UGA, AND LEAVING YOUR HOME STATE, (TENNESSEE)! GOOD MEMORIES!
O'Ventbrel
November 5th, 2012
2:42 pm
Terrible news…The receiver with the most reliable hands on the team followed by the the tallest and most improved receiver on the team. King and Mitchell are great talents, but guys like Wooten and Conley are going to have to step up big over the next three weeks.
Voyager Dawg
November 5th, 2012
3:38 pm
God Bless and best wishes for a speedy recovery young man. I know we could use someone with your size and ability down here in Jacksonville playing for the Jaguars. Best of luck for your future and here’s hoping that you get a couple of championship rings before you leave Georgia.
Sudsy
November 5th, 2012
4:13 pm
CMR should look at the tape. The Ole Miss tackler definitely twisted Marlon’s leg after the initial hit and I think that did the damage. I saw it in real time on TV—- it was very obvious.
DirtyDawg
November 5th, 2012
4:32 pm
Now maybe we’ll find out, although I’d rather it not be this way, if young Mr Scott-Wesley is as good as folks down Southwest Georgia way told me he was and is. On the shorter side for a receiver, but faaaasstt. Hope he gets a real look-see.
Bob Saccomanno
November 5th, 2012
5:58 pm
Love ya Marlon. You will be missed by the Red and Black.. Good luck in the NFL.
Rick
November 5th, 2012
6:12 pm
The jackleg Elston of Ole Miss has already been suspended once this year for dirty play.
I guess that this is just more of the Blind siders, Hugh Freeze, Glory to Gawg program.
I though that the injury was intentional when I saw it.
Gang bangers…..
Lee
November 5th, 2012
10:26 pm
You can view the entire game here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z3_Et_AIvo
The injury occurs at the 1:33:30 mark.
Fair n Balanced
November 6th, 2012
7:46 am
This is tough for a great young man. I hope he heals well and plays NFL ball.