Kirby Smart Provides Injury Updates for Nick Chubb, Sony Michel

The Georgia football team starts a new era under first-year head coach Kirby Smart, and he'll have plenty of questions to answer heading into the 2016 season. 

The biggest of those might be the status of his backfield with his top two running backs recovering from injuries. Smart provided updates on both players during his appearance at SEC Media Days, and it seems that both are questionable for the season opener. Junior Nick Chubb, who suffered a knee injury against Tennessee in 2015, appears to be closest to returning.

"Nick is progressing really well," Smart told reporters. "Nick is working hard. I repeat that every time I talk. I don't think anybody in this room would expect anything from Nick Chubb. This guy is passionate. It means something to him. He's doing everything with the rest of the team as far as summer workouts. That may change when we go to pads. He's not going to go out there and do everything right away as far as tackling and scrimmaging. Ultimately he's got to gain confidence in that knee back, and he's taking the right steps in that direction."

Fellow junior Michel had a great spring and appeared to be in position for a breakout season this fall, but the tailback broke his arm in an ATV accident earlier this month. Smart said it's too early to project his return.

"And Sony, kind of a sad injury, very upsetting for him. He's probably in the best shape of his life. He worked hard to be in the best shape of his life. He's a very versatile back, and he's a great kid that had a really good spring practice. He took a lot of load in spring practice with us being down running backs.

"I don't know the expectation for Sony, if he'll be back or not. We'll know a lot more when we get closer to the season. A lot of that injury is how does the muscle repair itself round that plated bone. That will be a big part of it."

The Georgia Bulldogs open the season against North Carolina in the Georgia Dome on September 3.

Make sure you tune into Tide 102.9 all week as we broadcast live from SEC Media Days thanks to Cardiology Consultants, L & L Marine, and Bryant Museum.