Georgia could be dealing with some concerns at the quarterback position, as it has been reported that JT Daniels is dealing with an injury. Below you can find live updates, injury news and practice reports as Georgia gets ready for its second game of the 2021 season.
Georgia will return to Sanford Stadium for the first time this season, with the plan being to welcome a full capacity crowd for the first time since the 2019 season. The Bulldogs opened the season in Charlotte last week.
Georgia football-UAB live updates, practice news
6 P.M. ET UPDATE: Ladd McConkey and Warren McClendon are set to meet with the media following Wednesday’s practice.
- “I think we did a good job protecting the quarterback. We gave up one sack. Other than that I thought we protected JT well.”
- “He’s been practicing and taking reps. He looks good.” -- Warren McClendon on JT Daniels
- “They’re both taking reps.” -- McClendon on Beck and JT Daniels splitting reps.
- “As an offensive line, you want to be dominant. That’s what we’re trying to do on Saturday.” -- McClendon on the offensive line.
- “We’re very confident in Carson. He’s a very confident qb. He’s always taking notes in meetings.” -- McClendon on Carson
- “He comes out every day and gives it 110 percent. He works hard on and off the field.” -- McClendon on Broderick Jones
- “JT and Carson both take reps every week, every day. We’re confident in both of them. We’re confident in either way that goes.” -- Ladd McConkey
- “It was an awesome experience to get out there the first time. It was a great feeling.” -- McConkey on playing last week against Clemson.
- “Playing on scout team helped improve me so much.” -- McConkey on scout team.
- “I love Chatsworth. It’s a small town and everybody knows everybody.” -- Ladd McConkey
- “I grew up with Georgia fans harassing me all the time.” -- Ladd McConkey on growing up a Tennessee fan.
- “He’s smart, he’s going to hit you in the right place. He’s a great overall quarterback and I have confidence in all of them.” -- Ladd McConkey.
We also got some pictures up from practice on Tuesday and Wednesday. No sign of JT Daniels in either set of pictures put out by the school but that isn’t all that surprising or out of the norm.
5 P.M. ET UPDATE: While Georgia is still practicing for Saturday’s game against UAB, the Bulldogs might be with a different quarterback.
According to Jake Rowe of 247Sports, Georgia quarterback JT Daniels is dealing with an injury that has called into question his status for Saturday’s game against the Blazers. Rowe reports it is either a rib or oblique injury.
Georgia has made it clear that Carson Beck is the team’s No. 2 quarterback, following a strong offseason performance. The Bulldogs also have Stetson Bennett and Brock Vandagriff at the quarterback position as well.
“Carson’s (Beck) been our number two quarterback,” Smart said on Tuesday. “He’s worked with the twos and has worked a lot there, taken a lot of reps.”
Beck has not yet thrown a pass in a game for the Bulldogs. Daniels completed 22 of his 30 pass attempts in Georgia’s win over Clemson but he threw for just 135 yards and was intercepted in the game.
Beck completed 22 of his 31 pass attempts for 236 yards and two touchdowns in Georgia’s spring game. He was a 4-star signee in the 2020 class.
According to a source, Beck worked with the first-team offense on Tuesday while Daniels also had limited work.
Related:
DawgNation will keep you updated with the latest as it pertains to Daniels, Beck and the Georgia quarterback situation.
6:20 P.M. ET UPDATE: Georgia coach Kirby Smart is set to meet with the media shortly, along with outside linebacker Nolan Smith and inside linebacker Channing Tindall as Georgia continues to get ready for UAB.
- “I thought he was a more confident leader. He always trains hard. He’s always in a good mood. His commitment was to gaining a little weight. I thought he took on the role of being a leader.” -- Kirby Smart on Nolan Smith
- “Blaylock and Kearis are practicing every day. Those guys are cleared. It’s a matter of those guys working themselves back in. Dom may be closer to 100 percent than Kearis.” -- Kirby Smart on Dominick Blaylock.
- Emphasizes Blaylock is practicing but doesn’t say he’s clear.
- “He’s rehabbing every day, he’s lifting every day. He’s done a good job of doing that. We don’t know. He’s scheduled to go see Dr. Andrews soon. He’s doing his rehab.” -- Kirby Smart on George Pickens.
- “Smael Mondon is a guy who does a lot of good things on special teams.” Smart mentions Arian Smith had a dominant night the other night on special teams.
- “He’s done a tremendous job. He’s got a great relationship with both recruits and players. I appreciate the hard work he’s put in.” -- Kirby Smart on Jahmile Addae.
- Kirby Smart says Carson Beck is working as the No. 2 quarterback.
- “He’s worked really hard. He’s improved, he’s put on some weight. He understands how to pass off twist in games. He’s still got a ways to go to beat the guy in front of him.” -- Kirby Smart on Broderick Jones.
- Smart mentions he has spoken recently to Scott Cochran who is still away from the team. -- “He seems to be doing well, and looking forward to getting him back here.”
- “Brock Vandagriff has been doing a really good job. Micah Morris has been doing really well.” Kirby Smart on some scout team guys that have stood out. Mentioned Xavian Sorey and Jonathan Jefferson as well.
- “Me, Quay, Nakobe, Jamon, Smael who just came in, everybody is athletic. It’s very competitive in our room and we all push each other.” -- Channing Tindall on the linebacker room.
- “Brock beats us all. He’s one of the most athletic kids we’ve had here. He’s going to be a force to be reckoned with here.” -- Channing Tindall on Brock Bowers.
- “I was very proud of him. He was listening to homecoming by Kanye West before the game. He was hyped. I was really happy for him.” -- Channing Tindall on Jordan Davis.
- “They’ve done way better than me when I was a freshman.” Tindall on Smael Mondon and Jamon Dumas-Johnson.
- “Nolan is the most vocal person in our locker room. He is always yelling. Nolan is going to get on you if you are messing around. He’s the true vocal leader and energy of the defense.” -- Channing Tindall on Nolan Smith
- “We have a connection. That’s what we focused on in the offseason.” Nolan Smith on the closeness of this group.
- “I have a lot of energy. I just get to wake up and play football and go to class. Some people don’t get to wake up at all.” -- Nolan Smith on his energy.
- “I just wanted to help my brothers. I was more happy for Nakobe because when they hit, it was real exciting. For all six of them, you get real excited.” -- Nolan Smith on the Georgia pass rush.
- “All of the young guys are working hard. They put in their everyday. Even Brock Bowers is giving us a look we’re getting everyday.” Nolan compared Brock Bowers to JT Daniels.
- “Since Broderick came here he was really good to me. He’s going against good pass rushers and he’s only getting better and better.” -- Nolan Smith on Broderick Jones.
- “Proof is in the pudding. Can’t make it any simpler than that.” -- Smith on Dan Lanning.
3:20 P.M. ET UPDATE: The most concerning thing Kirby Smart said on Monday was not about the Georgia offense.
It came when discussing Georgia’s head trainer Ron Courson and how COVID has impacted the Georgia program.
Courson tested positive last week and has continued to be away from the team after the first game. While Georgia has one of the higher vaccination rates in the SEC — over 90 percent per Smart — the breakthrough cases are still causing concern.
“I’ll be honest with you guys,” Smart said. “I’m as concerned as I’ve ever been and because we have three or four guys out with covid and we have a couple staff members that have been out with covid here recently. For us, were at our highest spike. Think there is this relief that everyone feel like everything is back to normal. Just not for us right now.”
Smart added that Courson does seem to be in good health. Warren Ericson noted how weird it was not having Courson around the program in recent days.
“He’s the hardest working guy in the building,” Ericson said.
12:20 P.M ET UPDATE: Georgia coach Kirby Smart is set to meet with the media shortly. He’ll provide some insight into how the team is doing. We will also hear from Warren Ericson, Latavious Brini and Jake Camarda.
- “I have a lot of respect for their program. Bill Clark is a great coach and a good friend. He’s been very successful. I got a lot of respect for their program.” -- Kirby Smart on UAB
- “We have the luxury of having some depth. Very unfortunate for Tate. He’s done everything we’ve asked. It’s going to be a tough four or five months for him. Still a tough injury for him. Hopefully he’ll be back for spring ball.” -- Kirby Smart on Tate Ratledge.
- “We feel Broderick at tackle is ready to go and ready to see.” Kirby Smart on Broderick Jones. Also mentions Xavier Truss and Jamaree Salyer as players who could move around due to the injury to Ratledge.
- “Foot injuries are pretty common in football. Very different injuries. It’s been a big study done, we had somebody come in during the offseason and talk about making sure our guys are wearing the right show.” -- Kirby Smart on the four foot injuries the Bulldogs have had.
- “A lot of it was attention to detail. They played us very different than what they say. We did some really good things offensively. I’m excited to see what our guys do going forward.” -- Kirby Smart on the Georgia offense
- “We didn’t play to the standard set on offense or defense in terms of execution.”
- Smart mentions the youth, especially at the wide receiver position.
- “Out of the 45 practices we’ve had, he’s maybe been available for 10 to 15 practices. He’s not in game shape and game speed. He will help us be explosive. He just has to practice more.” -- Kirby Smart on Jermaine Burton.
- “It means a lot for confidence. Can over-confidence hurt? Yeah, there’s a line there. Humility is one week away.” -- Kirby Smart on comparing the Clemson game to the 2017 Notre Dame game.
- “I think all the talk about the weapons he has or doesn’t have is a moot point. We’ve got to take the football players we have and make them explosive.”
- Smart highlights the game plan as to why Georgia played the way that it had. “We have to do that better.”
- “We had some very uncharismatic busts on run plays. We can play much better upfront and therefore be better in the run game.” -- Kirby Smart on the running game.
- “I think it will play a little more in our favor. It was really a tremendous atmosphere. I’m hoping that it cut downs on those unknown errors.” -- Kirby Smart on playing in Sanford Stadium.
- “It’s great to have guys who have played in big games. Dom is really close. He’s going against our defense on our scout offense. It’s a confidence factor. Kearis is the same way. With Kearis’ injury, it’s not a straight-line injury. It’s a plant and cut injury.” -- Kirby Smart on Kearis Jackson and Dominick Blaylock.
- “We have to be sure we’re targeting the right guys the right amount. I compare that game for him to Jermaine Burton’s Arkansas game.” -- Kirby Smart on Adonai Mitchell
- “I want to give Arian some credit. He made some phenomenal plays (on special teams).” -- Kirby Smart on special teams.
- “Ron is doing good. He’s had a tough run. I’m as concerned as we’ve ever been because we have three or four guys out with COVID and we’ve had a few assistants miss time. We’ve had the most we’ve had.” Kirby Smart on Ron Courson and COVID issues.
- “I can’t control what other people do. It’s a what can you do for me right now society. We’re trying to sell a team sport and a team game.” -- Kirby Smart on the elder defensive backs getting playing time.
The Bulldogs return to practice on Monday as they move their thoughts from the thrilling week 1 win over Clemson by preparing for UAB.
While the Blazers are a less talented team, this isn’t a game where Georgia can just show up and expect to win. UAB, led by coach Bill Clark, won Conference USA last season while going 6-3. UAB won its first game of the season, beating Jacksonville State 31-0.
The Georgia defense was stout in the opening game, holding Clemson to just three points. The Tigers had just 180 total yards of offense and had sacked Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei seven times.
Related: ‘Unreal’ defensive effort has social media buzzing about Georgia football
Offensively, the Bulldogs have plenty of room to improve going forward. Georgia had just 135 passing yards and did not score a touchdown in the game. The Bulldogs were kept in check by Clemson’s stout defense, though the Bulldogs were able to salt the game away late thanks to its rushing attack.
Georgia will be looking to get healthier at wide receiver and tight end. Kearis Jackson did not play any offensive snaps last week, while tight end Darnell Washington was held out with a foot injury. Jermaine Burton, Arian Smith and Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint will look to get more involved in the passing attack this week against a capable UAB defense.
Georgia football-UAB injury report
JT Daniels (Oblique, questionable) George Pickens (ACL, out), Tate Ratledge (foot, out), Dominick Blaylock (ACL, questionable), Darnell Washington (foot, doubtful), Tykee Smith (foot, doubtful), Kearis Jackson (knee, questionable)
Georgia football-UAB game time, TV channel
Georgia’s game against UAB is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff on ESPN2. This will be Georgia’s first home game fo the season.
More Georgia football stories from around DawgNation
- Georgia football winners and losers from Week 1 win over Clemson
- Georgia football stock report: 10-3 win over Clemson has several Bulldogs soaring
- How Tate Ratledge injury will shake up the Georgia offensive line
- JT Daniels happy with Georgia 10-3 win over Clemson, but ‘we can’t play with 10′
- Georgia football report card: Bulldogs’ 10-3 win over Clemson passes test on national stage
- WATCH Dabo Swinney: Clemson lost ‘fistfight’ to Georgia, one play was the difference
