Georgia coach Kirby Smart: LB Monty Rice doubtful, OL Cade Mays questionable

ATHENS — Georgia football coach Kirby Smart said inside linebacker Monty Rice “is probably not going to be available this week, he’s doubtful.”

Freshman offensive guard Cade Mays is questionable, senior guard Kendall Baker (knee) is “very doubtful,” leaving the Bulldogs’ offensive line thin entering practice this week.

Georgia (10-1) plays host to Georgia Tech (7-4) at noon on Saturday at Sanford Stadium (TV: SEC Network; Radio: WSB 750 AM, 95.5 FM).

Rice, who has led the team in tackles this season, didn’t play in the Bulldogs’ 66-27 win over UMass on Saturday after injuring himself during pregame warmups. Mays (shoulder) and Baker did not dress out for the game.

Smart said Rice was injured while “planting and driving” in the warmups and X-Rays were taken.

The Georgia front seven has had its share of struggles this season, already missing run-stopping defensive end David Marshall indefinitely because of a foot injury.

Smart said the inside linebacker positions are very important against an option team like Georgia Tech.

“The middle linebacker is critical against Tech’s offense, but really both linebackers,” Smart said. “Both have to be tremendous keys, and be able to read and react, they have to be good tacklers.”

Redshirt sophomore guard Ben Cleveland didn’t see action against UMass on the punt team because the No. 5-ranked Bulldogs (10-1) didn’t punt.

Smart said Cleveland suffered a sprained ankle at the end of the Auburn game, though he did practice in the days leading up to the UMass game.

“It’s tough when you’ve got an ankle and you’re coming off that (broken fibula) injury,” Smart said. “It’s not something you just wake up from. Ben is cleared. but Ben is not his normal self. If he didn’t have the ankle, it would be easier on him.”

Outside linebacker Walter Grant limped off the field against UMass, but Smart said he has been dealing with an ankle all season and indicated he will continue to play.

Smart made it clear he’s hoping all of his players can be ready for the Yellow Jackets, winners of four straight. “We need everybody, all the time,” Smart said. “I don’t want anybody to be hurt. We want to stay as healthy as we can, but teams across the country are beat up. It’s why you have 85 scholarships. “You’ve got to prepare guys and get guys ready to play. I think that we’re not as healthy as we have been in the past but things could be worse.” Georgia football injury report OLB Walter Grant (ankle) probable OG Ben Cleveland (left fibula) probable DL Tyler Clark (finger) probable DB Divaad Wilson (knee) questionable LB Monty Rice (lower left leg) doubtful OL Cade Mays (shoulder) questionable OL Kendall Baker (knee) doubtful DE David Marshall (foot) out DT DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle (unknown) out DB Ameer Speed (unknown) out DE Justin Young (unknown) out SS Jarvis Wilson (unknown) out DB Tray Bishop (internal team issue), out RB Zamir White (knee), out for season DawgNation Georgia football stories Nick Chubb and Sony Michel predict Georgia will beat Alabama Georgia opens up as surprisingly big favorite over Georgia Tech Tyler Simmons latest UGA receiver to emerge from deep room Georgia football players react to Justin Fields breakout performance Bulldogs bring No. 5 AP ranking into rivalry game with Georgia Tech Former SEC national title coach explains why option so devastating