Georgia coach Kirby Smart provides injury updates ahead of Week 2

Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart provided several injury updates on the struggling Bulldogs ahead of Georgia’s Week 2 clash with the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles.

Georgia's projected star defender Joenel Aguero surprisingly missed the Clemson game due to injury. “Yeah, it's a soft tissue injury. Joenel (Aguero) practiced today and did everything. I wouldn't say he was 100 percent, but he practiced and did everything,” Kirby Smart said.

With Joenel Aguero out against Clemson, the Bulldogs played safety Malaki Starks at STAR. Georgia also gave safeties Dan Jackson and KJ Bolden more playing time.

Georgia defensive end Warren Brinson was questionable because of an Achilles injury but left the game early because of ankle problems. “Warren (Brinson) has done some work, been out there and moved pretty well. I would say Joenel is ahead of Warren, but Warren has a chance,” Smart said.

The depth of Georgia's defensive line is currently a problem. Warren Brinson is injured, as is defensive lineman/outside linebacker Mykel Williams. In addition, two key rotation players Jordan Hall and Xzavier McLeod missed the Clemson game.

“Mykel (Williams) is out there watching our guys, doing rehab, being at all the walk-throughs and stuff, but he's not participating,” Smart said. Williams suffered an ankle injury in the game against Clemson.

Georgia doesn't have to bring Williams or anyone else back for the game against Tennessee Tech, but the Bulldogs have their first SEC road game at Kentucky in Week 3 before the Dawgs have a bye.

“They were running today, flying around, running the sidelines, not practicing, but running, straight, cutting,” Smart said of Jordan Hall and Xzavier McLeod. “I'm fired up. I mean, on Sunday or Monday, I looked out of my office and Jordan (Hall) was out there chasing it down the field, and was excited. He was up at 5:30 in the morning on game day, recovering on his own, beating Ron (Courson) there riding his bike in Atlanta. I mean, he's a different guy when it comes to rehab. He took it on and jumped in full force.”

Hall is recovering from two stress fractures. Smart notes that he is ahead of Xzavier McLeod, who transferred from South Carolina to Georgia in the offseason.

“I think he's probably a little ahead of McLeod because he's dealing with another muscle tissue injury,” Smart added. “He's never really had a serious injury either. But they're both giving it their all.”

McLeod is recovering from an abdominal strain. Georgia will play its first home game against Tennessee Tech on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 2 p.m. ET.