Practice Report: Georgia hitting hard in prep for Kentucky

ATHENS — After what for them was a brief respite, the Georgia Bulldogs were back at it in a full-pads, full-contact practice at UGA’s Club Sport Complex on Tuesday.

Georgia had a rare helmets-and-shorts day Monday but were hitting hard and going fast Tuesday in an extremely physical second day of preparation for Saturday’s game at Kentucky.

It’s a big game, for sure. It could be argued it’s the most important contest so far for the Bulldogs. At 4-4 overall and 2-4 in  the SEC, Georgia desperately needs two wins in its last four games just to become bowl eligible. Kentucky (5-3, 4-2) represents one of the best opportunities to score one of those victories. The Bulldogs opened as three-point favorites, but the Wildcats are better than usual and vying for a bowl bid as well.

Georgia has been dressing in full pads for the first three days of each practice week for most of the season. The Bulldogs changed their routine slightly as a few more injuries than usual have made their way through the team.

Here’s a couple of quick observations on that front and others from today’s 14-minute viewing period of Georgia’s two-hour practice. Head coach Kirby Smart and some selected players will be available for interviews after practice this evening:

• Defensive lineman DeQuan Hawkins-Muckle was not at practice for a second straight day. The part-time starter went out of the Florida game with a high-ankle sprain and his status this week is questionable.
• Wide receiver Riley Ridley was back at practice after missing Monday due to a death in the family. The freshman who caught Georgia’s only TD pass against Florida is still dealing with a sprained ankle but appeared to be getting through drills without too much trouble and was not under limited status.
• Big freshman Solomon Kindley was working with the second-team offense at right guard. Kindley has played only one play in one game this season (against Missouri) and would not be eligible for a redshirt unless he’s deemed injured. Usually Dyshon Sims, who is also the backup at left guard, comes in for starter Lamont Gaillard at right guard in games.
• Freshman Marshall Long was not with the other punters and kickers, at least during the viewing period. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’s injured or otherwise sidelined, but we’ll have to find out later from Smart. UPDATE: UGA sports communications has confirmed Long indeed made it to practice today.
• Meanwhile, Brice Ramsey continued to work with the kickers and not with the quarterbacks. He split repetitions at punter with Long against Florida, and neither one did well. They both averaged 32 yards a punt.
• Shakenneth Williams remained with defensive backs and Tae Crowder remained with the linebackers a week their position changes. Sophomore defensive end Michael Barnett was back with the defensive line again Tuesday after practicing with the offensive line the last two weeks.