BREAKING: Georgia Football Defensive Lineman Out for the Season
The No. 2 Georgia Bulldogs (6-1) won’t be at full strength for their Saturday showdown in Jacksonville against rival Florida (4-3).
Georgia’s defensive line rotation has faced injuries much of the season. Experienced starters Mykel Williams and Warren Brinson missed time due to ankle issues, while sophomore Jordan Hall recently returned from a leg injury in time for the game against No. 6 Texas. In that win, with Williams, Brinson, and Hall all back in action, Georgia limited Texas to just 29 rushing yards and recorded seven sacks and 10 tackles for loss.
On Tuesday, the rotation suffered another setback when head coach Kirby Smart announced that former five-star defensive lineman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye would be out for the rest of the season due to a “lower-extremity injury” that required surgery. Jonah-Ajonye, a 6-foot-4, 275-pound true freshman from Conroe, Texas, was rated as the No. 6 player at his position (247Sports composite) and had appeared in four games with one tackle. He is eligible for a redshirt.
Additionally, Georgia has been without starting linebacker Smael Mondon Jr. (foot) and starting right guard Tate Ratledge (ankle/MCL), among other rotational players. As of Tuesday, Smart was unsure when they might return.
The Georgia-Florida game is scheduled for Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC, with the Bulldogs favored by 16.5 points (ESPN Bet).