ATHENS — Judging by the Dawg Walk, Georgia will definitely be without perhaps its best defensive player, but one of its most dynamic other players might be available.
Senior outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins was not with the team for the Dawg Walk, which was expected. Jenkins hasn’t practiced all week because of the muscle strain in his groin, which he attempted to play through in the loss at Tennessee.
Jenkins leads the Bulldogs with three sacks and 7.5 tackles-for-loss. His absence should lead to increased snaps for sophomore Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy, and perhaps also junior Chuks Amaechi.
But could Georgia be getting one of its better offensive and special-teamers back? In a surprise, sophomore Isaiah McKenzie was in uniform for the Dawg Walk and was the first up catching punts in pregame warmups. McKenzie missed the Tennessee game with a lingering hamstring injury and didn’t practice Monday through Wednesday. Coach Mark Richt said on Tuesday he didn’t expect McKenzie to be ready.
This doesn’t mean McKenzie will play. But the fact he’s dressed out and catching punts is intriguing.