Georgia Football Injury Report: Who’s Expected to Be Out for G-Day
As Georgia Football prepares for their highly anticipated G-Day scrimmage, the annual spring football game, fans and analysts alike are eagerly awaiting to see how the Bulldogs are shaping up for the 2025 season. With a tradition of excellence under head coach Kirby Smart, G-Day has become an opportunity for the coaching staff to evaluate new talent, test the depth of the roster, and build momentum for the upcoming season. However, like any spring football event, it also comes with its fair share of injuries. As the Bulldogs gear up for their intrasquad matchup, several key players are expected to be sidelined due to various injuries, and their absences could have an impact on how Georgia approaches the game and evaluates their team moving forward.
The G-Day scrimmage typically offers fans a first look at the team’s progress after spring practice, and with a deep roster filled with future NFL talent, it’s a valuable chance to see how younger players and new recruits adapt to the competition. For the coaching staff, it’s a moment to assess positions of need, evaluate how the depth chart shakes out, and see how players perform under game-like conditions. While injuries can affect the flow of the game, they also provide an opportunity for younger and lesser-known players to step up and prove their worth.
As of now, several key players on Georgia’s roster are dealing with injuries that will prevent them from participating in G-Day. While none of these injuries are believed to be long-term, the absence of these players in the scrimmage will certainly alter how the Bulldogs approach the game and which players have the chance to showcase their abilities.
Starting with the offensive side of the ball, one of the most notable injuries affecting the Bulldogs is to star quarterback Carson Beck. Beck, who is widely expected to take over as the team’s starting quarterback in 2025 after Stetson Bennett’s departure, has been recovering from a minor shoulder issue sustained during spring practice. While the injury is not considered serious, the coaching staff has opted to hold him out of G-Day to ensure he is fully healthy for the regular season. This will give Beck the opportunity to continue his rehab without pushing his body too hard, while also giving the coaching staff a chance to assess his readiness for the season opener without subjecting him to unnecessary risk in the spring game.
With Beck sidelined, Georgia’s quarterback competition remains open, and several players will have the chance to prove they can step into the starting role if needed. Brock Vandagriff, a highly regarded sophomore who has been in the system for a couple of years, will likely take the first-team reps in Beck’s absence, with redshirt freshman Gunner Stockton expected to also receive significant snaps. Vandagriff, who has shown flashes of brilliance during spring practices, is widely considered the frontrunner for the starting job, but Stockton’s athleticism and arm talent could make him an intriguing option for the future. G-Day will be a key moment for both quarterbacks to showcase their skills and potentially solidify their standing in the competition.
In the backfield, the Bulldogs are also dealing with an injury to standout running back Kendall Milton. Milton, who has been a key contributor in Georgia’s offense in recent seasons, has been recovering from a hamstring injury that kept him out of several practices leading up to G-Day. The coaching staff has been cautious with Milton’s rehab, and as a result, he is expected to be held out of the spring game. With Milton sidelined, this presents a prime opportunity for the younger running backs on the roster to prove themselves, including freshman Roderick Robinson and sophomore Daijun Edwards. Both players have shown promise during the spring and will be looking to make the most of their chances in Milton’s absence. Edwards, in particular, is seen as a player with the potential to carve out a larger role in the backfield this season, and G-Day could provide a glimpse into his development.
On the defensive side of the ball, Georgia’s secondary will be missing a key contributor in safety Malaki Starks, who is currently recovering from a mild ankle sprain. Starks, who emerged as one of the top defensive players for the Bulldogs last season, is expected to be a leader in the secondary again in 2025, but the coaching staff has decided to hold him out of G-Day as a precautionary measure. Starks’s absence means that other members of Georgia’s talented secondary will have a chance to step into a larger role and prove themselves in a game-like setting. Freshman safety Peyton Woodyard, one of the top recruits in the 2025 class, will be one player to watch as he takes on more reps in Starks’s absence. Woodyard has the potential to be an immediate contributor, and G-Day will offer a unique opportunity to see how he handles the spotlight.
Additionally, Georgia’s defense will be without linebacker Jalon Walker, who has been nursing a minor knee injury during spring practice. While Walker’s injury is not expected to be serious, the coaching staff has opted to give him some additional rest heading into the season. Walker, who showed significant promise last season, will likely be a key part of Georgia’s linebacker corps in 2025, so the team is playing it safe by sitting him out for the spring game. This could open the door for younger linebackers, such as freshman Raylen Wilson and sophomore CJ Allen, to get additional reps and further develop their skills. Both players have impressed during the spring, and the G-Day scrimmage will give them a chance to showcase their ability to fill Walker’s shoes if needed.
Another notable injury on the defensive side is to edge rusher Marvin Jones Jr., who has been dealing with a groin issue. Jones, one of Georgia’s top pass-rushers and an important piece of the defensive front, has been limited during spring practices but is expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 season. For now, however, the coaching staff has made the decision to hold him out of G-Day to prevent any further aggravation of the injury. This will provide an opportunity for other edge rushers, including freshman Sam M’Pemba and sophomore Damon Wilson, to get increased reps and show off their pass-rushing ability. With Georgia’s defensive line being a key part of their championship aspirations, G-Day will be a crucial time for the Bulldogs to evaluate their depth at the position.
While injuries are always a part of football, they have the potential to impact the dynamics of the spring game and affect how the coaching staff approaches certain areas of the roster. For Georgia, the G-Day scrimmage will still provide ample opportunities for other players to step up and showcase their abilities. While key players like Carson Beck, Kendall Milton, Malaki Starks, Jalon Walker, and Marvin Jones Jr. will be sidelined, the coaching staff will have the chance to evaluate younger players who could become key contributors later in the season.
For fans attending G-Day, the absence of these players may feel like a setback, but it also provides an opportunity to see what Georgia’s depth looks like in action. With the Bulldogs’ championship aspirations firmly intact, the coaching staff will be looking to develop players who can step in when needed and ensure that Georgia’s next wave of talent is ready to contribute to the program’s continued success.
As the Bulldogs take the field for G-Day, all eyes will be on the players who will be stepping in for the injured stars. For Georgia, it’s not just about how they perform this spring—it’s about setting the stage for another successful season and ensuring the program’s future remains as bright as ever.
