ATHENS — Georgia coach Kirby Smart shared his first public comments on Georgia freshmen Dontrell Glover and Bo Walker following their Dec. 12 arrest following an alleged shoplifting incident that occurred at a Walmart in Athens.
Glover and Walker were both charged with misdemeanor theft by shoplifting for the incident.
“Yeah, both those guys, disappointed in their decision-making,” Smart said Monday. “We always say decision-making is a skill, and they made poor decisions. They paid a consequence for that, and they’re continuing to pay a consequence for that, and they’ll finish up their consequences for that. So I hope both of them make better decisions in the future.”
Glover has started 11 games for the Bulldogs this season, earning Freshman All-SEC honors for his play at right guard. Walker is dealing with a jaw injury that sidelined him for the SEC championship game. He had 100 rushing yards on 22 carries this season.
Smart did not state if either player would be suspended for Georgia’s College Football Playoff quarterfinal against Ole Miss on Jan. 1 in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans (8 p.m., ESPN).
The Bulldogs not played since defeating Alabama in the SEC championship game Dec. 6.
Despite the long layoff, the Bulldogs still have a myriad banged-up players.
Chief among them is outside linebacker Gabe Harris, who is dealing with a turf toe injury.
Smart said Georgia hopes to have Harris out there.
“Gabe’s a wrecker, man. He wrecks things. He’s tough, physical, relentless,” Smart said. “He’s been a force with our defense, and he’s one of those guys that doesn’t question things. He just gets out there and works, competes, and gets better, and I’m really proud of the improvement he’s made for our defense.”
Harris has played in all 13 games for Georgia. He has 26 tackles, 6.5 tackles and 1.0 sack on the season.
In the event Harris cannot play, expect Georgia to lean more on Joseph Jonah-Ajonye in Harris’s spot. Georgia also will lean more on Quintavius Johnson and Elo Modozie as well.
As for Georgia’s other injuries, Colbie Young continues to try and recover from a leg fracture he suffered in Georgia’s first win over Ole Miss.
Fellow wide receiver Noah Thomas is dealing with a back injury that limited him to just one snap in the SEC championship game. Running back Chauncey Bowens also left that game. Both are expected to be able to play against Ole Miss.
Defensive backs Joenel Aguero and Zion Branch did not play against Alabama. Aguero is dealing with a wrist injury, and was replaced in the starting lineup by Rasean Dinkins.
Georgia could see freshman tight end Ethan Barbour return to action. He suffered an ankle injury in Georgia’s second game of the season against Austin Peay.
On the offensive line, Georgia expects to be without Drew Bobo once again. He is dealing with a foot injury. Malachi Toliver got the start against Alabama.
“I’m optimistic we get all those guys back,” Smart said. “We’re hopeful to get those guys back and get them back recovered, get them going. They’re good football players, and they’re going to help us. We’re hopeful to get a lot of those guys back, and we’ve got guys dinged up from the practices we’ve had, too.”
An updated availability report for the Sugar Bowl will be released Dec. 29 that will provide a better idea of where things stand on Georgia’s injury front.
Georgia football injury report
- Gabe Harris — turf toe
- Noah Thomas — back
- Joenel Aguero — wrist
- Zion Branch — undisclosed
- Drew Bobo — left foot
- DB Kyron Jones — foot
- RB Bo Walker — jaw
- DL Jordan Hall — leg
- WR Colbie Young — leg
- TE Ethan Barbour — ankle
- DB Ondre Evans — knee
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