Arik Gilbert listed on Georgia depth chart, dressed out for Auburn game
No. 2 Georgia could have one of its big offensive weapons available for today’s game against Auburn, with tight end Arik Gilbert dressed out for the Bulldogs and on the sideline according to multiple reports.
The Athletic’s Seth Emerson reported Gilbert is dressed, though he noted that ‘doesn’t mean he’ll play.’ The home team in SEC games is not limited to the 70-man roster limit that visitors are.
Gilbert traveled with the team last weekend at Missouri but did not dress in the 26-22 win.
He played in the first two games of the season at Georgia but has not played since, and his impact with the Bulldogs since transferring in from LSU prior to the 2021 season has been very limited.
Gilbert starred with the Tigers as a true freshman in 2020, catching 35 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns.
Injuries on Georgia offense creating opportunities
The Georgia offense has been without one of its top targets since the second week of the season, with receiver Adonai Mitchell hobbled by an injury. But that’s created chances for younger players.
“I feel like with the younger guys, like Dillon Bell, it’s just boosted their mentality to come out and just be the next guy,” tight end Darnell Washington said. “You know? Step it up.”
With Arik Gilbert dressed, could he be one of those guys on Saturday against the Tigers?
Georgia and Auburn will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET with a broadcast on CBS. There’s also the possibility that Mitchell could return this week, so that’s worth keeping an eye on, as well.
“I feel much better. He hit some good speeds yesterday in conditioning and did some cuts,” coach Kirby Smart said Tuesday. “I didn’t see – I didn’t get to see him practice as much today when I was with the defense and he went in some of the scout periods. I got to watch has tape, but it looks very promising from what I saw yesterday in terms of him running.
“I don’t know how much the role will be. We’ll see. But we’ve got a lot of guys banged up, so it’s gonna be done by committee a lot of places.”