Injuries Taking Toll On Georgia Offense

Georgia RB Keith Marshall was injured during the game against Tennessee at Neyland Stadium. Georgia won in overtime 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Georgia escaped Tennessee with its bleak national championship hopes alive, but lost plenty in the process.

Bulldogs coach Mark Richt confirmed Sunday that RB Keith Marshall and WR Justin Scott-Wesley suffered season-ending knee injuries in the win.

Another skill player, WR Michael Bennett, will have arthroscopic knee surgery. Bennett’s status for the remainder of the season is unknown.

Georgia has already endured plenty on the injury front. WR Malcolm Mitchell, considered to be QB Aaron Murray’s top target in the passing game, suffered a season-ending knee injury while celebrating a touchdown in the season opener at Clemson. Last week, RB Todd Gurley incurred an ankle injury that left him sidelined for the Tennessee game.

Gurley’s status for this week’s game against Missouri is not yet known.

One of the great strengths for the Bulldogs before the season started came from the tremendous depth on offense. Halfway through the season, it’s becoming increasingly evident they will need every bit of that depth just to survive the season.

With so many weapons out against the Volunteers, freshman RB J.J. Green rushed for 129 yards and senior WR Rantavious Wooten caught 2 TD passes.

Such players, who expected to be peripheral pieces, will need to continue to step up for the Bulldogs to have any chance of being a championship team in 2013.