Kirby Smart offers latest on health of Georgia running backs

In its quest to repeat as national champions for a second straight year, the thing Georgia might be battling the most is the injury bug. And the health of Georgia running backs has come particularly into focus.

The Bulldogs are missing some key contributors.

“Yeah, Roderick (Robinson) hasn’t gone much,” coach Kirby Smart said on Tuesday. “He’s been in the training room dealing with the the high-ankle (sprain).”

Robinson is the team’s third leading rusher, but the Bulldogs only have one runner who has topped 100 yards on the season at this point. That’s in large part due to injuries.

For his part, Robinson has been good when healthy, averaging 5.9 yards per carry on 15 totes. He has 89 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

There’s a veteran, though, that has been in and out of the lineup with injuries that the Bulldogs would love to get back. That’s Kendall Milton, who has run for 96 yards and a touchdown this season.

The good news is he appears to be on the mend, as the focus on the health of Georgia running backs continues.

“Kendall was able to go some today and did some stuff,” Smart said. “I saw him out there, I didn’t get to see how much he did or how he looked doing it. I’ll evaluate that on tape. but he was able to take reps and go and cut and do some things.”

Kirby Smart updates Ladd McConkey’s progress

While the health of Georgia running backs is a key focus for the team, so too is the health of veteran receiver Ladd McConkey. McConkey has yet to play this fall, dealing with a back injury.

“He did some things today,” Smart said. “He got to practice. He didn’t do much Monday. Ran routes, caught balls. And then today he got in plays and ran routes. I saw him some but I didn’t get to see enough to really judge it. I’m going to go watch the tape of the periods I wasn’t over there with him to see what he looks like.

“We’re just trying to progress him back slowly. Whether it’s this week or whether it’s the future. We’re not trying to rush him back.”

In two seasons at Georgia, McConkey has accounted for 1,209 receiving yards and seven touchdowns. He has also run for 178 yards and three scores.