The Georgia Bulldogs could see a significant boost to their offensive line as they prepare to face the Florida Gators this Saturday. Head coach Kirby Smart shared with reporters on Monday that he is “hopeful” starting right guard Tate Ratledge will be available after undergoing tightrope surgery following Georgia’s victory over Kentucky.
“We are hopeful,” Smart stated. “We think he’s going to be able to contribute. He worked some last week and took a few reps. Hopefully, he’ll be ready to go. I know this game is really important to him.”
With Ratledge sidelined for the past four games, Micah Morris has stepped up in his absence, helping to stabilize the offensive front.
Smart also provided an update on defensive end Mykel Williams, who has been dealing with an ankle injury sustained during the season opener against Clemson. Williams has seen limited action as he works his way back to full strength.
“Well, Mykel is still not at full capacity; he wasn’t last week in terms of being at 100%,” Smart explained. “I want to clarify that. Some might look at the output against Texas and think he didn’t play many snaps, but he didn’t fulfill the same role he had against Clemson.”
He continued, “We believe he’s going to be much better this week. We did a lot of rehab with him last week, but I can’t say for sure where he stands. When he’s at his best, he provides us with depth and elevates the performance of those around him. He’s a challenging player to block and excels in both run and pass defense. I’m glad to have him back; I just hope he’s at 100%.”
Smart did not offer any updates regarding linebacker Smael Mondon (foot) or running backs Branson Robinson (knee) and Roderick Robinson (toe), nor defensive tackle Jordan Hall (legs). As the Bulldogs gear up for the critical matchup against Florida, the health and availability of these key players could significantly impact their performance on the field.