Kirby Smart: Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, Rara Thomas will 'try to go' for SEC Championship
Last week, Georgia went through its game against Georgia Tech without Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey and Rara Thomas due to injury. Kirby Smart made it clear they were dealing with injuries and, ahead of the SEC Championship, said they’ll “try to go” against Alabama on Saturday.
Smart said none of the three players got to practice much this week as they work their way back. The hope is they’ll be able to play, but Smart said the fact they haven’t practiced makes things tougher.
“Day-to-day,” Smart told Laura Rutledge on SEC Now Friday night. “They have not gotten much practice in during the week. We haven’t been able to take reps with those guys. They’ll try to go for the game. We’re hoping. They’ve been getting recovery, getting treatment.
“The toughest part is for the offensive staff, trying to plan around who you do have and who you don’t have. They’ve been out. Marcus Rosemy-[Jacksaint] missed a day this week, on top of the other guys. So it’s been really tough. We hope to get some back.”
How Brock Bowers, Ladd McConkey, Rara Thomas could play in the SEC Championship
When Georgia takes the field for warm-ups at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Smart said that will be a key part of the decision-making process on Bowers, McConkey and Thomas’ availabilities. He confirmed Bowers was able to at least do some activity this week, but he still couldn’t say for sure if they’d be able to play.
“See how they feel, see if they’ll be able to go and compete,” Smart said of what he’ll look for in warm-ups. “It’s hard when you don’t practice all week. They were part of some walk-throughs, but they haven’t practiced all week, have been unable. It’s really been tough on Rara and Ladd. Brock was able to do some running and some things.
“Neither one could go last week, and I don’t know if they’ll be able to go for this one, so we’ll see. It’s tough because those guys are our leading pass-catchers, when you start looking at it.”
Bowers has been the most dynamic playmaker on the roster for Georgia, totaling 661 yards across nine games. He underwent tightrope ankle surgery during the season, though, and missed some time. But when he plays, he’s one of Carson Beck’s top targets, as is McConkey. The dynamic wide receiver has only played in seven games this year due to a back injury, but he has 428 yards and two touchdowns in that time.
Even though their statuses are in question, it’s going to be interesting to see how that impacts preparation for both teams. To Nick Saban, his staff is going to plan as if Bowers, McConkey and Thomas will be able to go.
“I think we’re preparing as if all those guys are gonna play,” Saban said. “And I think we all have guys who are on that list, game-time decisions, which drive the coach a little crazy sometimes when you don’t know for sure who’s gonna play until the last minute.
“And it goes both ways, when you don’t know who’s gonna play on the other team until the last minute because that can affect how you want to play the game.”