Georgia hoping for two key players back for Florida

ATHENS — Isaiah McKenzie wasn’t supposed to play Saturday. And yet there he was in warm-ups before the game, taking punts and working with the receivers.

“He was jumping around in pregame warmups, he thought he was gonna play,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “I’m like: You’re not gonna play, so don’t look all happy all of a sudden. Couldn’t practice all week and now you’re all revved up and ready to play.”

McKenzie missed a second straight game with a chronic hamstring injury. But with a bye week coming up he will “probably be back” for the Florida game on Oct. 31, per Richt. So should senior linebacker Jordan Jenkins, who missed the first game of his college career – he had played in 46 straight – because of a strained groin.

Several others have played through injuries: Tailback Sony Michel said he had a strained quad. Center Brandon Kublanow has an injured ankle. Defensive tackle Chris Mayes and safety Quincy Mauger are among other players dealing with minor injuries.

“We need the bye week,” Richt said. “We’re tried. Coaches are tired. Players are tired. Players are sore. Some guys are coming off injuries.”