Injury updates for Smael Mondon, Branson Robinson and more
Kirby Smart said Wednesday that he still doesn’t have a clear picture as to when running back Branson Robinson (foot) and linebacker Smael Mondon (foot) will be cleared for full-speed practice.
However, both are ahead of where they were a month ago.
“Smael and Branson have both been cleared to run, land running, but they will not be full-speed practice,” Smart told reporters on Wednesday during a press conference to preview the start of fall camp. “They’re both ahead of the schedule that we thought five or six weeks ago, but they’re not going to be cleared for the start of practice.”
Otherwise, news on the injury front isn’t bad.
Smart revealed defensive lineman Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins is dealing with a foot injury, while Mykel Williams (toe) continues to heal, although he’ll be eased back into practice before going full speed.
“Mykel has been able to do some football activity, some conditioning with us. It should be a lower volume, but he should be able to practice with us,” Smart said. “Ty Ingram is dealing with a little bit of a navicular foot issue. It’s not a break or anything, just a stress reaction where we’ve had to hold him out some. We’ve got a few hamstrings, things like that, but the major deals right now are Ty, Smael, and Branson.”
With Robinson still working his way back, the Bulldogs need to hope the remaining backs can stay healthy. Unfortunately, that hasn’t always been easy.
Senior Kendall Milton has been slowed by injuries in each of his first three years, including a balky hamstring in the spring. Milton’s healed for the fall. He, along with Daijun Edwards, Andrew Paul (back after tearing his ACL a year ago), and freshman Roderick Robinson will be ready for practice.
Smart also mentioned walk-on Cash Jones as one to watch.
“Andrew, coming off the knee, where is he in terms of catching the ball, stamina, burst, acceleration?” Smart said. “Obviously, Kendall and Daijun, have the most experience, but a guy who’s really had a good offseason and put up really good numbers in the weight room is Cash. Cash may be our fastest back and pound-for-pound may be our strongest guy on the team. His unique ability is to catch the ball out of the backfield, but Daijun has got to be a guy who stays healthy, be durable, and be the leader of that group in terms of the way they work and catch the ball out of the backfield.
"I’m just excited to see those guys work. I don’t know if we’ve got a star in the group, but we’ve got a group that, as a committee, does a tremendous job."
