A number of Bulldogs picked up injuries on Saturday, and some new details have emerged regarding starting right guard Ben Cleveland. DawgNation has learned Cleveland suffered a fracture to his left fibula but the injury will not require surgery or a cast.
In addition, according to a report from 247Sports’ Jake Rowe, Cleveland is expected to miss a minimum of four weeks with the injury. The four week timeline means he would at least miss the Tennessee, Vanderbilt and LSU games before a late October of early November return.. Cleveland has started every game at right guard this season for Georgia and played next to redshirt freshman tackle Isaiah Wilson.
Following Saturday’s 43-29 win over Missouri, Georgia coach Kirby Smart described Cleveland’s injury as a lower extremity injury. In the game, Cleveland was replaced by sophomore Justin Shaffer. Should Shaffer get the start on Saturday against Tennessee it would be the first of his career. Georgia also signed the No. 1 and No. 3 offensive guards in the country in the 2018 class in Jamaree Salyer and Trey Hill.
Georgia also saw another starting offensive lineman leave Saturday’s game as Andrew Thomas left the game with another ankle injury. The sophomore left tackle was started the game after missing the Middle Tennessee State game but he seemed to re-injure his ankle when he was rolled up on. He was replaced by freshman Cade Mays at left tackle.
The Bulldogs will have to patch up their offensive line as they host Tennessee this week. That game is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET start on Saturday. The game can be seen on CBS.
Best stories from around DawgNation
- Georgia coach Kirby Smart shares halftime message of 43-29 win
- Chip Towers Georgia football report card for Missouri
- Ben Cleveland among 4 Georgia football starters knocked out of Missouri game
- Jake Fromm happy to get best of Drew Lock in matchup
- Georgia football stock report for Missouri game
- Bulldogs freshman Eric Stokes comes through with game ball day
- Instant analysis: Second-half surge lifts Georgia football
- Bulldogs’ corner Deandre Baker shuts out SEC’s leading receiver