ATHENS — Georgia’s three-man rotation at inside linebacker was only a two-man rotation on Saturday. And those two might have achieved some separation.
Natrez Patrick and Roquan Smith got every snap at inside linebacker, with Reggie Carter serving as “an emergency guy,” as head coach Kirby Smart put it. Carter suffered a concussion earlier in the week, and was able to make the trip, but did not play.
Carter was back at practice on Tuesday, but he was working second team. Patrick and Smith were again the first-teamers.
“Both of those two other kids were playing good and they took all of the reps in practice,” Smart said. “We felt good about them playing, so they played. Reggie was ready to go if we needed him.”
Smart did say that Carter is expected to play this week, so he’s probably not out of the equation just yet. But Smith and Patrick, both sophomores, continue to play well.
A few other notes from the media viewing period of Tuesday’s practice:
- Brice Ramsey was seen throwing with the other quarterbacks for the first time in a few weeks. Ramsey, who has been dealing with a hand injury, has been available as a backup punter but not as a quarterback. Sam Vaughn was the No. 3 quarterback the past few games.
- Mel Tucker was more active with the defense, in contrast to recent practices – at least media viewing periods – when Smart was the most vocal and was directing things.
