Georgia football senior captain J.R. Reed out for Sugar Bowl

Georgia safety J.R. Reed is out for the Sugar Bowl.

Tony Walsh / UGA Sports

Posted 1 year ago

NEW ORLEANS — Georgia football captain J.R. Reed became another surprise scratch for the Sugar Bowl on Saturday.

Reed said at the college football awards show earlier this month that he was going to play in the game: “The Dawgs are playing and I’m still a Dawg.”

The Thorpe Award finalist tweeted on Saturday that he is skipping the Sugar Bowl on account of a minor foot injury.

🖤❤️ pic.twitter.com/qIHuqo9g49

— JR Reed (@Jr_Reed1) December 28, 2019

UGA coach Kirby Smart has elected not to address the injuries, failed drug tests and academic suspensions that are keeping Georgia players out of the Sugar Bowl.

The Bulldogs were also missing starting senior defensive lineman Tyler Clark at practice on Saturday.

Smart said on Friday he would only talk about players present when asked about the whereabouts of Clark and senior tailback Brian Herrien.

Clark’s absence raises the number of Georgia starters out for the game to seven, counting D’Andre Swift, who remains questionable.

The No. 5-ranked Bulldogs (11-2) play No. 7 Baylor at 8:45 p.m. next Wednesday in the Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.

The Bears are at full strength, looking to set a single-season school record for wins if they can beat the Bulldogs.

Georgia is missing key players at receiver as well: Starter Lawrence Cager (ankle) and freshman Dominick Blaylock (knee) are out with season-ending injuries. Slot receiver Kearis Jackson (ankle) is still limited by an ankle injury, Smart said on Friday.

It’s possible Bulldogs’ quarterback Jake Fromm might be the only UGA player of the four voted a permanent captain to play.

Offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, another captain, quit the team earlier this month to prepare for the NFL draft. Right tackle Isaiah Wilson, a redshirt sophomore, followed suit.

Smart indicated on Friday that Swift won’t play unless he’s 100 percent.

Redshirt freshman defensive back Divaad Wilson was also not spotted at practice on Saturday.