ATHENS — Coach Kirby Smart continues to downplay Sony Michel’s presence on the practice field. With just under three weeks to go to the season opener, Georgia’s leading rusher from last season remains in a black, non-contact jersey.

But his work outside of full-contact situations certainly has to be an encouraging sight with regard to his possible availability in the first game. As the Bulldogs went through drill work early in Monday’s full-contact practice, not only was Michel taking handoffs and catching passes alongside his running mate, Nick Chubb, he was actually going first on each rotation.

Michel suffered an open fracture of both bones in his left forearm in an ATV accident on July 3. He did not participate in this past Saturday’s scrimmage but Monday was practicing full speed and running and catching the ball without any obvious issues.

Also notable from Monday’s drillwork was the presence of Elijah Holyfield high in the rotation. Holyfield, a freshman from Atlanta, was taking the third rep on each exercise. Holyfield and fellow freshman Brian Herrien drew the praise of Smart for running tough and breaking tackles in this past Saturday’s scrimmage.