It's still hot out, but Georgia football fall camp is here.
Unfortunately for the Bulldogs, their defense is already dealing with injuries ahead of their Week 1 opener against the Clemson Tigers, as noted by Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart.
Those injured include defensive tackles Warren Brinson (Achilles) and Jordan Hall (tibia stress fracture), defensive end Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (foot) and linebacker Smael Mondon (foot).
"Warren Brinson is dealing with an Achilles tendon, so he’ll be in and out,” Smart said. “It’s an opposite one than what he had in spring, but it’s not long. We have injected it, and he should be back shortly."
There's a chance Brinson will be available when Georgia kicks off against Clemson on August 31. The same can also be said for Ingram.
"Ty Ingram is coming back from an injury that he’s dealt with. He’s not 100% but he’s close,” Smart said.
Smart, however, was not very confident that Hall would be around available by the end of month, which is unfortunate since he is on tap for a larger workload this fall.
"Jordan Hall has a tibia stress fracture that we ended up having to do surgery on,” Smart said. “We expect a full recovery. He’ll be back, hopefully by the first game, but he will be close.”
Smart Looking for Young Guys to Make an Impact
Smart did express confidence in Georgia's depth on the defensive line to fill the void left by these guys.
"I'm pleased with where they (Georgia's defensive linemen) are. Warren's dealing with a little bit of a nagging injury that he's dealt with, and he'll push through that," he said. "Naz (Stackhouse) has been great. We've gotta get the young guys to play. You never have enough defensive linemen. You never have enough defensive linemen, so just from the jump street, we’ve got some big bodies in that room, but we’ve got some inexperienced big bodies. So it’s really important that we establish depth, that we’re looking at a potentially longer season.”
That means Smart will be looking at guys like Christen Miller, Xzavier McLeod, and Jordan Thomas, Gabe Harris and freshman Joesph Jonah-Ajonye to step up in camp.
As for Mondon, he will be limited, which means more reps for CJ Allen, Raylen Wilson and Jalon Walker.
Georgia's Secondary Remains a Big Question Mark
Georgia's defense is all near perfect biscuits and gravy until you get to the secondary.
There's not much known around here as they look to fill voids left by safeties Tykee Smith and Javon Bullard and starting cornerback Kamari Lassiter.
Joenel Aguero and Jacorey Thomas, who are not very experienced, will battle it out to take over Smith's job at nickel.
Smart is confident that KJ Bolden is on tap for a big first year and said during SEC Media Days that the former five-star recruit is already ahead of where Malaki Starks was when he was a freshman. Bolden will have to beat out senior Dan Jackson.
Smart is also fond of freshman cornerback Ellis Robinson.
Starting cornerback Daylen Everette returns to give them somewhat of a veteran boost, but who lines up opposite of him is up for grabs between inexperienced sophomores Daniel Harris and Julian Humphrey.
Perfect the secondary will be Georgia's biggest task throughout camp, though possibly the most fun position group to keep up with.
Related: Georgia Football Fall Camp Preview: Where the Bulldogs go from here without Rara Thomas in the WR room
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