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Kirby Smart gives update on OT Earnest Greene's timeline to return

Jeremy Johnsonby: Jeremy Johnson3 hours agoJeremyO_Johnson
Earnest Greene Georgia
via Georgia Athletics

Georgia offensive tackle Earnest Greene continues to mend with an ongoing back issue. Georgia head coach Kirby Smart ‘doesn’t know a timeline’ for Greene at this point.

Greene started game one against Marshall. He did not play against Austin Peay in week two. Greene started against Tennessee before being forced to sit.

Greene did not play at all on Saturday in Georgia’s 24-21 loss to Alabama, even after a bye week. The Bulldogs started redshirt sophomore Bo Hughley. Freshman Juan Gaston got some work at right tackle as well.

Hughley accounted for 27 snaps. Gaston played slightly more with 29 snaps at right tackle.

Smart gave a brief update on where the veteran right tackle is heading into this week’s matchup with Kentucky. Greene has continued his rehab process throughout the week.

“Earnest has continued to work, rehab to get better and strengthen and really get stamina, endurance, and he’s working hard to get back,” Smart said on the SEC teleconference. “I don’t know the timeline on that yet.”

Earnest Greene will compete once healthy

Gaston and Hughley have done a solid job in Smart’s eyes. Whenever Greene is set to return, Georgia’s staff will evaluate the position accordingly.

“The plan is to play the best guy that gives the best chance to win,” Smart said. “That’s the decision we have to make in every position. And right now, that’s those two guys. They are battling, they’re both growing and getting better, both relatively young players, very different players. And then when Earnest is ready or when he’s completely healthy and able to come back, he’ll be back to compete with those guys and get back to playing for us.”

Georgia hosts Kentucky on Saturday at noon. The first official availability will be out later this week.

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