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Monroe Freeling injury update: Kirby Smart sounds optimistic about Georgia lineman

On3 imageby: Jake Rowe10/06/25JakeMRowe
Monroe Freeling Georgia
Oct 19, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Monroe Freeling (57) blocks Texas Longhorns edge rusher Trey Moore (8) in the second quarter at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-Imagn Images

Georgia offensive lineman Monroe Freeling left the Bulldogs’ 35-14 win over Kentucky with an ankle injury. At his regular Monday meeting with the UGA beat on Monday, Kirby Smart offered an update that sounded more optimistic than when he spoke right after the game.

“Monroe has an ankle that’s probably not as severe as we thought. He’s not having any kind of surgery or anything. We’re hopeful to get him back this week, just have to wait and see. He’s not going to be able to do a lot to day, but we think there’s a chance he’ll be able to go.”

Smart called Georgia’s offensive line a “mash unit” after its win over Kentucky. Freeling left the game at the end of the opening series with the ankle injury. The UGA training staff taped him up and worked him out on the sideline for the next couple of possessions, but he was unable to return.

Freeling’s start against Kentucky was the 10th of his career. All of them have come at left tackle. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound lineman started the final five games of the 2024 season, including the SEC Championship game win over Texas and the Sugar Bowl loss to Notre Dame.

As a prospect, Freeling was ranked as the nation’s No. 32 overall prospect and carried a five-star rating per the Rivals Industry Rankings, a weighted average that includes all three websites that publish recruiting rankings. He was the No. 5 offensive tackle in America and the No. 1 player in South Carolina.

Fourth-year junior Earnest Greene might also have a chance to return this week. Smart didn’t explicitly state that in his Monday press conference, but he did say that Greene will be working out with the team this week as he tries to come back from back tightness.

Prior to Freeling taking over the starting left tackle spot in 2024, Greene had started 23 straight games. A shoulder injury put Greene on the shelf to end the regular season, pushing him into a reserve role at right tackle for the post season. Greene, too, is battling injury. He started at right tackle in Georgia’s season-opening win over Marshall but only played 19 plays. The California native exited the game after the second series due to a back injury and missed the following week’s contest against Austin Peay.

Greene returned to the starting lineup for the Bulldogs win at Tennessee, but he was unable to finish the game. He did not practice during Georgia’s bye week before Alabama and has missed the past two games.

Fifth-year senior Micah Morris has also been battling injuries this season. He has started all five games to this point, but he entered the year with a broken hand. He suffered a hamstring injury against Alabama, leaving the game for a short period time. The Camden County product experienced a shoulder subluxation (dislocation) against Kentucky, again exiting the game for a short period before returning.

Entering the year, Freeling, Morris, and Greene were, by far, Georgia’s most experienced offensive linemen. Fourth-year junior center Drew Bobo also entered the season with two starts under his belt.

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