Georgia Football Releases First Injury Report Ahead of Florida Matchup With KJ Bolden Listed as Questionable
Georgia safety KJ Bolden has been listed as questionable on the Bulldogs’ first SEC availability report of the week after missing the team’s loss against Auburn. The top-ranked Bulldogs head into a 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday clash against Florida on ABC following a much-needed bye week that offered both programs a chance to heal.
Bolden enters the matchup as Georgia’s fourth-leading tackler with 22 stops this season, alongside standing as one of four players with an interception.
Stepping Up in the Secondary and Managing Lower-Leg Injuries
When Bolden sat out against Auburn, Ja’Marley Riddle stepped into the starting role at strong safety, recording six tackles and a pass deflection. Georgia coach Kirby Smart discussed Riddle’s improvement this week.
“Ja’Marley’s improving,” Smart said. “He plays more strong safety than anything else. He’s very intelligent. He has good instincts, and he communicates really well. He’s improved with every week. He improves every day in our system, understanding how to do things.”
At the same time, the status of Kyron Jones remains tightly managed. Though Jones has avoided the availability report this season, a tough lower leg extremity issue kept him off the field against Auburn.
“He’s dealing with a tough lower leg extremity that’s bothered him some. It’s really hard to manage for him,” Smart explained on the SEC coaches teleconference call. “He’s not able to have the volume that he probably needs for practice. He’s got to do things on banked reps.”
Injury Report Breakdown for Georgia and Florida
Beyond the safety position, the availability report outlines several other roster adjustments for both teams. Georgia running back Chauncey Bowens and wide receiver Isiah Canion join Bolden as questionable.
Meanwhile, defensive back Tyriq Green, wide receiver Thomas Blackshear, and Amaris Williams have been ruled out. Smart addressed Williams’ recovery timeline without committing to a potential return date for the Auburn transfer.
“Doing great,” Smart said of Williams. “He’s working hard. Day-to-day, he comes out with us and is able to get some parts of a practice like flex and does some things with us to stay part of the group. But he’s not in any shape to play or anything right now.”
Offering a boost for the Bulldogs’ ground game, tailback Nate Frazier avoided the availability report entirely, mirroring his status prior to the Auburn game after suffering a rib injury against Arkansas on Sept. 26. Across the field, Florida listed quarterbacks Aaron Philo and Tramell Jones as questionable, with Jones having started the Gators’ win over Texas while Philo sat out.
The SEC will release updated availability reports on Thursday, Friday, and 90 minutes prior to Saturday’s kickoff.
