ATHENS — Georgia could be missing its most reliable receiver for an undetermined amount of time.
Kirby Smart said senior graduate transfer Lawrence Cager may not be healthy enough to play when the No. 10-ranked Bulldogs (5-1, 2-1 SEC) play the Wildcats (3-3, 1-3) at 6 p.m. on Saturday (TV: ESPN).
“I don’t know if Cager is going to be able to play,” Smart said at his Monday press conference. “He’s probably going to be out this week, we don’t know that for sure, we’re going to see. He’s dealing with more than a shoulder, now, he’s got another injury that happened Saturday, so he may not be able to play.”
Cager, who made three third down conversion catches in the first half of the 20-17 overtime loss to South Carolina, had been playing with a separated shoulder entering the game. Cager also sustained a rib injury, according to a sideline report.
Cager is tied with freshman George Pickens for the team lead with 19 receptions, gaining 245 yards on those catches including what proved to be the game-winning TD against Notre Dame.
Smart said offensive guard Justin Shaffer, who started the past three games, will be out this week with a sprained neck and will week-to-week and out indefinitely.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell, who has been out with turf toe since Sept. 14, remains questionable Smart said.
“Tyson feels like he’s almost back, he can run, plant, point and drive,” Campbell said, “but the pressure and torque it takes to hit someone …. it’s a long, slow injury, guys. There’s nothing you can do to speed that up.”
Smart said left guard Solomon Kindley is “dinged” up, but he expects him to be ready to play against Kentucky.
Smart did not update defensive back Mark Webb or Brian Herrien.
Webb left the game after banging knees with South Carolina’s quarterback, who was wearing a knee brace, and Herrien had back spasms.
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