LEXINGTON, Kent. — Kirby Smart was asked a pair of personnel questions postgame Saturday night after Georgia’s 13-12 win over Kentucky. The head coach didn’t have much to say on either, but his words certainly were notable.
Pertaining to banged up offensive lineman Tate Ratledge , who left the game in the first half, Smart said the veteran sustained injuries to both his ankle and his knee. Ratledge was carted to the locker room after not being able to put much weight on his left leg leaving the field, returning in street clothes with a boot and a brace on after halftime.
“I was told ankle and knee, but I don’t know which is worse or how bad it is,” Smart said . “I don’t know much about it.”
Ratledge has started each of Georgia’s first three games this season and has both All-SEC and All-American honors tagged to his name. After earning a starting spot in his second season, a foot injury in the 2021 opener sidelined Ratledge for the rest of the year. He would return to start 26 of the next 28 for the Bulldogs, playing a key part on the interior of Georgia’s elite offensive line the last two years.
As for defensive back Daniel Harris who was arrested in Athens Thursday night, Smart said he was available against Kentucky. He cited a “coach’s decision” in making that choice. Harris saw action in Georgia’s first two games, totaling two tackles in each, but did not play against Kentucky.
Harris was cited with five misdemeanor charges including reckless driving. According to the police report obtained by DawgsHQ, Harris was pulled over on Georgia Stat Route 10 Loop driving a 2018 Jeep Grand Cherokee going 106 miles per hour. Harris exited the vehicle and was put under arrest, at which time the officer noticed the seat belt still buckled indicating the driver had not been wearing it. He was also charged with operation of an unregistered vehicle without a license plate, no proof of insurance and affixing materials that reduce visibility of windows/windshield.
Georgia returns to Athens with a bye week on the horizon, and the Bulldogs hope it’ll help them get healthy. Defensive linemen Mykel Williams (ankle), Jordan Hall (leg) and Warren Brinson (ankle) all missed Saturday’s game while others like Trevor Etienne (shoulder) deal with nagging bumps and bruises.
“I don’t know that we can rest and recover. I mean, that’s what people think bye weeks mean. We’ve got to find a way to improve and get better,” Smart said. “You know, we were really beat up coming into this game, specifically at one position, and it was a really tough week for us. I’ve got a lot of respect for the guys that stepped up and played.”
Next up for Georgia is a trip to Alabama. The Crimson Tide also have the week off before their September 28th SEC Championship Game rematch in Tuscaloosa under the lights of Bryant-Denny Stadium (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC).
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