George Pickens' status updated ahead of Charleston Southern game

Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver George Pickens is in uniform for Saturday’s game against Charleston Southern, according to The Athletic’s Seth Emerson. Pickens has missed all of 2021 with an ACL tear, which he sustained during spring practice.

Head coach Kirby Smart has left the door open for a potential return all season but has not provided any specifics on a return timetable. With a wide receiver room decimated by injuries all season, Georgia could use its top target back for the postseason stretch.

Despite the good news of George Pickens in uniform, Emerson adds a Saturday appearance would still come as a surprise.

“Would not consider this a sign Pickens will play, as this is a home non-conference game and more flexibility on how many can dress,” Emerson posted. “But Pickens is running routes with other receivers in warmups. So another positive sign going toward.”

Pickens has 1,240 receiving yards over two seasons at Georgia. He has 85 receptions and 14 touchdowns as a Bulldog.

Another status update

Running back Kendall Milton suffered a sprained MCL in practice in mid-October and has been sidelined since. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is cautiously optimistic the original timeline set following the injury is going to hold. 

“Kendall is back running, which is good,” Smart said on Tuesday. “I think he got up to 10-15 mph yesterday. Not truly practicing with us, he’s cutting and running straight lines. Doubtful for this week, that we would get him back but optimistic that we would get him back for Georgia Tech. That’s kind of the timeline we’ve had since the injury. So certainly hopeful we can get him back in time for Tech.”

Milton, who was a member of the Freshman All-SEC team last year, has 49 carries for 243 yards and a touchdown this season. Despite only playing in six games leading up to the injury, he remains the third-leading rusher on Georgia’s team.