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ATHENS, GA – Quarterback JT Daniels was barred from throwing drills for Georgia’s No.2 on Monday, leaving the junior’s status uncertain for Saturday’s game against No.18 Auburn.
The Bulldogs relied on their running game and defense to crush No.8 Arkansas 37-0 last week. Daniels was in uniform but did not play after testing his right lat injury during pre-match warm-ups.
Stetson Bennett replaced Daniels and passed for just 72 yards as Georgia ran for 273 yards against an Arkansas defense lined up with additional defensive backs.
Even when they can rely on the best national defense, Georgia might need a better offensive balance at Auburn. Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Monday he was still hopeful Daniels could play against the Tigers.
Smart said Daniels was “doing everything but throwing” in the first practice of the week.
“The most important thing is that he has to rest, recover and try to heal,” Daniels’ Smart said. “We are optimistic that he will be able to go on Tuesday, Wednesday and that he will be able to launch like last week.”
Daniels missed two games. An oblique injury kept the junior from playing in a 56-7 win over UAB on September 11.
Bennett, a senior, completed 29 of 41 passes for 515 yards with six touchdowns and two interceptions in four games, including two starts. He completed 10 of 12 assists and threw five first-half touchdown passes against UAB, tying the school record.
Center Sedrick Van Pran said Georgia are fortunate to have two veteran quarterbacks.
“I think the great thing our quarterbacks do is they definitely add a calming effect to the game,” Van Pran said on Monday. “They stay calm, they lead in the right way and in a positive way.”
Smart said he has confidence in all of his quarterbacks, including freshman Carson Beck, who appeared to be the choice if a replacement for Bennett was needed last week. Despite this, Daniels is 7-0 as a starter.
Georgia must make decisions now to protect Daniels’ health for the team’s SEC and national championship hopes.
“I think it will be a matter of time,” said Smart. “It’s really number 1, pain tolerance. Number 2, can it heal it so it’s not a long-term, nagging, recurring injury. It’s unfortunate because it’s an injury hard.”
Georgia’s offense gained momentum last season after Daniels, a transfer from Southern California, completed his recovery from knee surgery. The Bulldogs have won their last four games with Daniels as a starter.
This season, Daniels completed 76.1% of his passes (54 of 71) for 569 yards with five touchdowns and two interceptions.
Georgia (5-0, 3-0 SEC) wins with defense. He allowed just 4.6 points per game and recorded consecutive shutouts in SEC games for the first time since his 1980 national championship season. Including a 62-0 victory at Vanderbilt, the Bulldogs have dominated their last two opponents 99-0.
Auburn (4-1, 1-0) is averaging 40 points per game and gained momentum with last week’s 24-19 win at LSU.
Auburn coach Bryan Harsin is following the uncertain situation for the Georgia quarterback.
“I don’t know their shift situation,” Harsin said Monday. “JT Daniels is very good. Stetson Bennett, was very impressed with him.”
Harsin said Georgia has “a good balance, they have a good staff, and they have two very good quarterbacks, and they are able to give the ball to the guys.”
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