ATHENS — Georgia was down one defensive back on Saturday, though he might be able to return soon.

Rico McGraw, who started the first game at the star position, missed the game after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his knee. Coach Mark Richt didn’t have a timetable for McGraw’s return but said it wouldn’t be long.

“He’ll be back pretty quick,” Richt said.

In his college debut two weeks ago, McGraw got the start and made three tackles, but was also beat on several big pass plays. Last week at Vanderbilt he mostly played off the bench, getting two tackles. Reggie Wilkerson got most of the snaps at the star last week.

This time Georgia moved junior Quincy Mauger, normally the starting safety, down to the star position in the nickel formation, with freshman Jonathan Abram moving onto the field at safety.  Abram finished the game with four tackles.

Two other injury notes:

  • Junior ILB Reggie Carter, who has dealt with a bad shoulder, is in uniform for the game. That’s notable, as Carter did not practice Wednesday, and Georgia is on a 70-man dress limit for the game.
  • Sophomore outside linebacker Lorenzo Carter was getting his hand taped for some reason during pregame warm-ups. He’ll play, though.
  • Sophomore TB A.J. Turman is in uniform for the first time this season. He missed the first game with an ankle injury, then didn’t make the dress list for the Vanderbilt game.