Georgia star offensive lineman Tate Ratledge will miss multiple weeks after undergoing tightrope surgery on his ankle, Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart announced Tuesday. The former first-team All-SEC guard suffered a sprained MCL and sprained ankle during the Bulldogs' 13-12 win over Kentucky. His injury leaves the No. 2 team in the country without their best lineman heading into a critical stretch.
There isn't a clear timeline for when Ratledge could return to the starting lineup, but the program has history with this particular injury. Former Georgia stars Brock Bowers and Amarius Mims both underwent a similar procedure but didn't have a sprained MCL on top of it. Bowers returned 26 days after the procedure.
This isn't the first time that Ratledge will miss significant time. Ratledge suffered a season-ending injury against Clemson in the opening game of the 2021 season. Ratledge will likely be replaced in the starting lineup by Micah Morris, who played 42 snaps at the position against Kentucky.
Georgia totaled just three first downs and 63 total yards in the first half against Kentucky. The game's only touchdown came with 12:20 remaining when Georgia's Branson Robinson plunged in from 3 yards out to put the Bulldogs ahead 13-9. The offense looked better in the second half as it amassed 199 yards with the help of two long scoring drives.
The Bulldogs were expected to be stout up front this season after returning four of their five starters on the offensive line from last season. Even with the addition of former Florida star running back Trevor Etienne, the Bulldogs have struggled to move the ball on the ground and rank 13th in the SEC in rushing yards (145.7) per game.
Georgia has a bye this weekend before facing Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Sept. 28. The Bulldogs then play Auburn and Mississippi State at home before facing Texas in Austin on Oct. 19.
