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Wide receiver Ladd McConkey has been a big part of Georgia’s 2-year reign as national champions, piling up a combined 89 catches and 12 touchdowns during the Bulldogs’ 2021 and ’22 title runs.
But right now, as the top-ranked, undefeated Bulldogs get set for their 1st SEC road game against Auburn on Saturday, all McConkey continues to be is a question mark for head coach Kirby Smart.
McConkey missed his 4th straight game to start the season last Saturday against UAB, and as Week 5 began all Smart could do in his Monday press conference was speculate about whether his junior wideout could possibly return from a lingering back injury.
“He’s gotta be able to practice, you know. And that’s a big part of it,” said Smart. “He’s going to be able to come back to practice this week, and we’re going to be able to do some more things with him. How he does in those things will determine whether or not he’s able to play.”
Smart is being smart, taking a cautious approach with such a vital piece to Georgia’s championship puzzle.
“We had kind of a two-week advised shutdown,” explained Smart. “He’s done that, and we’re expecting him to be able to go out there (Monday) and do some things, but non-contact early in the week and try to move to that.”
Cory Nightingale, a former sportswriter and sports editor at the Miami Herald and Palm Beach Post, is a South Florida-based freelance writer who covers Alabama for SaturdayDownSouth.com.
