Florida vs. Georgia: Kirby Smart Discusses Bulldogs OL Injuries

Kirby Smart offers injury updates on offensive tackles Amarius Mims and Xavier Truss ahead of Georgia's matchup with Florida.

Tight end Brock Bowers' ankle injury isn't the only hurt of note for Georgia's offense entering its rivalry matchup with Florida in Jacksonville, as Bulldogs starting offensive linemen Amarius Mims and Xavier Truss are currently nursing ankle injuries of their own. 

Mims, Georgia's Week 1 starting right tackle, went down with his hurt against South Carolina in Week 3 and has been out of the lineup since as it required surgery. Truss, who has since filled in for Mims at right tackle after opening the season as UGA's starting left guard, suffered his injury versus Vanderbilt in Week 7, one that is not considered to be severe. 

Both Mims and Truss were able to participate in a limited fashion during the Bulldogs' bye week and have continued to progress ahead of Georgia's matchup with Florida, according to head coach Kirby Smart, who offered an update on both players after the team's Tuesday practice. 

"Both guys have been able to take some reps and work," Smart said after Georgia's Tuesday practice. "Xavier is probably ahead of Mims, which is what we expected, but I was really pleased with Mims. He pushed really hard today and got out there, got some work in. And Truss has been out there both days."

In the event that both players are available to play against Florida, Georgia's offensive line will return to full strength for the first time since mid-September. If neither can play, freshman Monroe Freeling would likely start at right tackle after manning the role in place of Truss to complete the Vanderbilt matchup.

Freeling logged 47 right tackle snaps in that game, per Pro Football Focus. Rotating at both left and right tackle as a rookie, Freeling has been on the field for 106 snaps offensively this season and has burned his redshirt. 

While his play considering his youth has been admirable, Freeling has allowed three quarterback pressures on the year, good for fourth-most of any UGA blocker. Should Freeling get the nod to start on Saturday, Florida could look to take advantage of his inexperience in protection with pass rushes designed toward his side of the line. 

Asked on Wednesday if Bowers will travel with the Bulldogs this weekend, Smart stated that he had yet to make that decision given Georgia's overall injury report and the need to consider its numbers at other positions, such as offensive tackle.

As for how he will determine Georgia's starting right tackle against Florida, Smart was rather unforthcoming. 

“The person that can play the best and function the best and gives us the best chance to win," Smart said Wednesday.

"It's just the same as the quarterback and just the same as the running back and the DBs who play. It’s gonna be the guys who give us the best chance to be successful and win.”

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