ATHENS, Ga. — Top-ranked Georgia could be without one of its top defensive players for a few weeks: Outside linebacker Mykel Williams has a Grade 2 ankle sprain, with coach Kirby Smart terming Williams as “week to week.”
The timetable for that type of ankle sprain varies, but it is usually multiple weeks. Georgia hosts Tennessee Tech, an FCS team this week, then goes to Kentucky the following week.
After that, Georgia has a bye week before a showdown at Alabama, which could end up being the target for the return of Williams, the Bulldogs’ most potent edge-rushing weapon.
“It’s not going to be a long-term ankle (injury),” Smart said.
The SEC will have an NFL-style availability report system this year, so Georgia will have to update the status of Williams and every other player before the Kentucky game, beginning on Wednesday with daily updates. But it only applies to conference games, so Georgia doesn’t have to file the report this week.
Williams was a preseason first-team All-SEC pick and is potentially a high first-round pick if he goes pro after this, his junior year. But his loss is mitigated by who else Georgia can put on the edge.
Jalon Walker, who led Georgia in tackles and sacks (1.5) against Clemson, split his time between outside and inside linebacker in that game. So he could just play more on the outside, with CJ Allen, Smael Mondon Jr. and Raylen Wilson still getting a lot of snaps on the inside. (Wilson had 32 snaps versus Clemson, Allen had 31, Mondon had 28 and Walker had 26.)
Another candidate for more playing time is Damon Wilson II, a former five-star recruit who had 21 snaps against Clemson, most after Williams’ injury.
Chaz Chambliss, a veteran run-stopper, would continue to get snaps at the other outside linebacker spot.
Elsewhere on the injury front for Georgia’s defense:
• Nickelback Joenel Aguero (hamstring) is likely to be available on Saturday, with Smart saying he was close to being able to play against Clemson and might have been able to play in an emergency.
• Defensive tackle Warren Brinson has an ankle contusion, with Smart saying he’s “hopeful” Brinson will be able to play. Georgia was missing two other defensive lineman against Clemson. Jordan Hall (leg injury) is out for at least a few more weeks, and Xzavier McLeod (abdominal strain) should be back soon.
(Photo: Joe Robbins / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
