Kirby Smart discusses timeline of Branson Robinson injury
The Georgia Bulldogs are in a prime position to repeat and pick up their third straight national championship, as they are currently ranked No. 2 in the College football playoff rankings. The Bulldogs have done so without one of their more prominent offensive pieces, running back Branson Robinson.
Georgia lost the services of Robinson right before the start of the 2023 season after he ruptured his patella tendon during fall camp. Since then, the Bulldogs star running back has been on the road to recovery in hopes of returning to the field in 2024. But his road is one that head coach Kirby Smart is not too familiar with, as the Bulldogs headman revealed on Tuesday when asked about Robinson’s recovery timeline.
“You know, I don’t know the answer to that,” said Smart when asked if Robinson will be cleared in time for spring practice. “The closest thing we had was Ryan Davis, who went through this. And it’s a long, arduous process. I can’t answer. I think he’ll probably be cleared, but I don’t know if he’ll be able to go through live tackling and everything.”
Robinson was a highly rated recruit out of Germantown high school in Madison, Mississippi, rated the No. 2 running back in the country and the No. 73 overall prospect in the 2022 class according to On3’s Industry Rankings.
Robinson made the most of his limited carries last season, rushing for 330 yards and three touchdowns on just 68 carries.
Smart updates recovery process for Brock Bowers
Smart also provided an update on the status of star tight end Brock Bowers, who suffered a sprained ankle and underwent tight-rope surgery to repair it.
Typical recovery timeframes for the injury are four to six weeks, but it can occasionally take longer.
“He’s working hard. He’s doing all he can in terms of trying to get himself in shape and get better,” Smart said. “He’s back running now on dry land. We’re hoping that he keeps getting better. That’s kind of the MO on this injury. Every kid we’ve had so far that’s had it, Week 1 they do this, Week 2 they do this, Week 3 they do that, Week 4. He’s right on schedule for the things he’s been doing.”
Bowers suffered the injury on Oct. 14 against Vanderbilt, so there’s a chance he could return by the postseason if all goes well. Of course, there’s a long way to go to get there.
But the fact that Bowers is running on land again is an encouraging sign for the Bulldogs.
The team could certainly use him healthy. He’s one of the most advantageous players on the field when healthy, a complete mismatch in the passing game at tight end.
So far this season Brock Bowers has recorded 41 catches for 567 yards and four touchdowns. He leads the team in receiving despite missing the past two games.