Before Georgia takes on LSU in the SEC championship game, the Bulldogs have a key non-conference game against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

The Bulldogs enter the game with relatively good health, as head coach Kirby Smart provided an injury update on some of Georgia’s banged up players.

Starting right guard Tate Ratledge did not play in the team’s win over Kentucky due to a subluxation. Smart clarified that it was a shoulder injury that kept Ratledge. He had started all 10 games for Georgia prior to the game against the Wildcats. Devin Willock got the start in his place.

“He probably could have gone in the game. It’s one of those things he checked out before the game last week and we weren’t comfortable putting him in and wanted to give Devin a chance to play,” Smart said of Ratledge

The Bulldogs were also without AD Mitchell once again, as he is still recovering from a high-ankle sprain he suffered against Samford. The injury has lingered far longer than any thought it would. Mitchell did not travel for either of Georgia’s last two games.

If there is some solace to be found, last year saw George Pickens make his season debut against Georgia Tech last season after missing the prior 11 games with an ACL injury. Georgia was able to integrate him into the offense to where he was a difference-maker in the College Football Playoff.

“AD was similar last week as he’s been to the previous weeks. I mean, he did run. He had a little few higher speeds. And he did some individual drills,” Smart said. “But he didn’t do teamwork, like, 11-on-11 teamwork. And that’s the goal. You know, that’s the goal each week, to get him out there to do 11-on-11 and take some reps.”

The Bulldogs take on a Georgia Tech team that is coming off an upset win over North Carolina. This will be the firs time the two teams have met in Sanford Stadium since 2018, as the 2020 game was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Smart knows Georgia Tech interim coach Brent Key and what he stands for. The Georgia coach is expecting a physical rivalry game, one that could add some bumps and bruises to Georgia’s team.

“I respect the rivalry,” Smart said. “I look forward to going and preparing for them. I look forward to honoring these seniors in the class, one that has a chance to be the winningest class that’s ever had a chance to play at Georgia, and they had a COVID year.”

Smart also clarified that Nolan Smith’s surgery was a repair and that he will not return this season. Smith suffered a torn pectoral in the win over Florida

The game against the Yellow Jackets is set for a 12 p.m. ET start, with ESPN broadcasting the game. Georgia’s SEC West counterpart LSU takes on Texas A&M this week. That game is set for a 7 p.m. start time.

Georgia football injury report for Georgia Tech game

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