Georgia football injury report: Kirby Smart updates Eric Stokes’ status

ATHENS — Georgia football coach Kirby Smart said cornerback Eric Stokes has been practicing and is expected to be cleared for contact in Wednesday’s practice.

Stokes left the second quarter of UGA’s 19-13 win over Texas A&M with what appeared to be a head/neck injury and did not return to action.

The No. 4-ranked Bulldogs (10-1) play their regular-season finale at noon on Saturday against Georgia Tech (3-8) at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta.

WATCH: Kirby Smart press conference for Georgia Tech

Georgia already knows it will face LSU (11-0) at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 7 at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta in the SEC Championship Game with a College Football Playoff spot on the line.

Smart has given no indication he will rest any players against Georgia Tech.

In Stokes’ case, it’s worth noting cornerback Tyson Campbell has played well since returning from injury and DJ Daniel has quietly had a strong season at the other corner.

Georgia regards this game as a rivalry to be taken seriously, so Smart isn’t likely to take it easy on Georgia Tech, which beat him his first season as UGA’s head coach.

“You don’t think it’s important, then lose it, and then it will be really important,” said Smart, a former Georgia player who also still laments losing to the Yellow Jackets in his final home game at Sanford Stadium.

The Bulldogs’ health won’t be optimal on Saturday, even if Stokes returns.

Receiver Lawrence Cager aggravated a separated shoulder in the first quarter of the 21-14 win at Auburn on Nov. 16, and he did not play against Texas A&M last Saturday.

It would be surprising to see Cager play at Georgia Tech, though that will likely be a game-time decision.

Smart said on Monday that offensive lineman Cade Mays, who has a history of shoulder and ankle problems, continues to practice this week after being held out of offensive line rotations against Texas A&M.

The severity of Mays’ most recent ailment is cloudy, leaving him questionable.

Senior defensive lineman David Marshall has played through a foot injury all season.

Fellow defensive lineman Julian Rochester has only appeared twice after coming off of offseason knee surgery. Smart said the potential for a redshirt season is there for Rochester.

Senior defensive back Tyrique McGhee, who has dealt with a foot injury, played against Texas A&M and continues to practice. McGhee is expected to be available for Georgia Tech.

Smart spoke at length on Tuesday night about freshman D’Wan Mathis being cleared to do more and run 11-on-11 drills less than six months after undergoing emergency brain surgery to remove a cyst on May 23.

Mathis, however, is not cleared for contact and will not be available for the Georgia Tech game.