kendlal milton georgia injuries

ATHENS — Despite the doom and gloom around the Georgia fan base at the moment, sophomore running back Kendall Milton is not all that worried about the recent string of injuries.

“We’re a team that has limitless talent across the roster,” Milton said. “I feel like our game in terms of our offense, we’ll be good. Everybody has that next-man-up mentality. I feel like that will play itself out.”

The Bulldogs were entering the Clemson game already missing wide receivers George Pickens and Dominick Blaylock. Then on Saturday, tight end John FitzPatrick, and wide receivers Kearis Jackson and Jermaine Burton were held out of the team’s scrimmage.

On Wednesday, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart announced that tight end Darnell Washington suffered a foot injury. DawgNation can confirm that Washington had surgery and his status for the game against Clemson is very much in jeopardy.

Burton and Jackson have since returned to practice but with the injury list growing by the day, Georgia’s set of pass catchers isn’t as strong as it once was.

Fortunately for Georgia, the Bulldogs have one of the deepest and most talented running back rooms in the country. Milton is just one of the many reasons why that is the case.

“It’s just crazy that we have this many talented backs in one roster,” Milton said. “You look around the room and everybody has that big-time running back type of potential. Everybody has different tools and different ways to contribute to the game.”

Zamir White was voted Second Team All-SEC this preseason after leading the Bulldogs in rushing and scoring 10 touchdowns last season. James Cook has received comparisons to Alvin Kamara and figures to be a big pass-catching weapon for Georgia, regardless of the health of Georgia’s wide receivers.

Milton may have the highest upside of any running back on the team. Kenny McIntosh has drawn rave reviews all fall after emerging as one of the heroes of Georgia’s Peach Bowl win over Cincinnati.

It’s a group that doesn’t just possess talent, but the versatility to impact the game in all areas. Running between the tackles, pass-catching, pass blocking and special teams.

There is one area where the talented group could stand to improve in the eyes of their offensive coordinator.

“We’ve got to become more explosive in the run game and we have to do it without having a dual-threat quarterback,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “That will add to that as well. At times, you may not get the QB draw or the scramble run or the zone read. That’s no excuse. We’ve got good enough running backs. We’ve definitely got to be more explosive.”

Milton hopes to play a part in achieving that goal this season.

The Bulldogs do have some promising young options like wide receiver Adonai Mitchell or tight end Brock Bowers, who Milton praised as a freak.

But neither of them has played a game yet in their college careers. And that first game will be against an elite Clemson defense.

While the Bulldogs haven’t yet started preparing for Clemson specifically, Milton has a pretty good idea of what he and his fellow running backs will be facing.

“They’re definitely a great defensive team,” Milton said. “They have a lot of weapons and players we’re looking out for. As a running back room, running back group, going against the d-line group that we go against every day in practice prepares you that type of game atmosphere.”

Milton and the Georgia running backs aren’t outwardly worried about carries, especially at this point in the season. They know the depth in the running back room helps keep the wear and tear down.

In the event that the running back room does see an injury, they’ll be ready for what comes next.

Because just like the case at wide receiver or tight end, Milton knows there’s another talented player behind him, ready to seize the moment.

“I feel like, with the type of school that we go to, a school with a lot of talent, so everybody works for moments and works to get their chance,” Milton said. “Playing with what we have, everybody is just excited with the talent that we have on the field, just excited to attack the opportunity.”

Kendall Milton discusses Georgia offense, Clemson opener

More Georgia football stories from around DawgNation