5 Georgia football starters out for Sugar Bowl vs. Ole Miss

3 hours ago 1

The Georgia Bulldogs will be without five starters including four starting defenders in the Sugar Bowl against the Ole Miss Rebels. Georgia has been without starters Kyron Jones and Jordan Hall for a while now. The Bulldogs lost starters Joenel Aguero and Drew Bobo to injuries before the SEC championship and both players will miss the Sugar Bowl. Georgia's newest injury is to starting defensive lineman Gabe Harris, who has turf toe. Harris has not been practicing for UGA in the lead up to the Sugar Bowl.

Georgia will play safeties Zion Branch and JaCorey Thomas with Jones still out. Georgia will likely start defensive back Rasean Dinkins, who played great in the SEC championship, with Joenel Aguero out again. Defensive lineman Gabe Harris' absence hurts. The Bulldogs will have to get more snaps out of Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, Elo Modozie, JJ Hanne, Isaiah Gibson and/or Kris Jones. Jonah-Ajonye would be expected to absorb the largest part of that share.

It is not all bad news for Georgia. The Bulldogs are expected to return tight end Ethan Barbour (probable) and wide receiver Colbie Young (probable) for the Sugar Bowl. Georgia safety Zion Branch also no longer appears on the injury report. The Oregon Ducks are the only team with more players out for the College Football Playoff quarterfinals than Georgia.

The Dawgs play a fairly healthy Ole Miss team. The Rebels have key injuries to star running back Kewan Lacy (probable) and tight end Dae'Quan Wright (probable), but both players are expected to play. Outside of that, Ole Miss is expected to have most of their top contributors healthy.