ATHENS — Georgia is down another defensive linemen, but the good news is the loss should only be short term.

Sophomore defensive lineman Michael Barnett hurt his MCL last week and will “probably” be out the rest of spring practice, according to coach Kirby Smart. But surgery should not be required, which would leave Barnett in position to return for summer practice.

Smart said Barnett’s injury was “tough” because, after playing sparingly last year, he was having a good spring.

“The kid was playing really good,” Smart said. “I didn’t really know him last year, didn’t really recruit him, so I didn’t really know a lot about Michael. But I was really impressed with where he was after five practices, and in that practice he went down.”

Georgia’s defensive line depth is already a concern for the season opener against North Carolina due to a couple of suspensions.

Jonathan Ledbetter, a sophomore, will be out that game after a misdemeanor alcohol-related arrest two weeks ago.

Chauncey Rivers, another sophomore, is due to be out the first three games of the season after his second marijuana arrest last year. He served the first of a four-game suspension in last season’s bowl game.