Just as the Georgia Bulldogs were trying to mount a comeback against the Crimson Tide, Kirby Smart’s offensive line suffered an injury. Micah Morris had to go out of the game late in the second quarter with the Bulldogs in the endzone. The injury happened on a run play at Alabama’s three-yard line. Dontrell Glover replaced Morris at right guard for the moment. His status is not clear at the moment.

Morris has been a pillar for the Bulldogs this season. In the Overtime thriller against the Vols, he played a crazy 95 snaps and executed a key block to spring running back Nate Frazier for a gain in the first play of overtime. That proved hugely decisive for Georgia on the night, and for all you know, it could well define their season. His durability has been a key factor for the Bulldogs. Since moving over from being a reserve OL in 2022, Morris had a breakthrough 2023 where he was a key part of an offensive line that ranked first in the SEC. His growth has been a story in itself.

Barely two weeks ago, Bulldogs Head Coach Smart had emphasized the role Morris played in the team’s plans. “He’s been a rock for us and understands leverage and protections. The biggest thing he can do is help those younger guys grow and get better with how he works, his work ethic, what kind of example he sets for them,” said Smart in a conversation with The Red and Black, the student publication of the University of Georgia.

But looks like Smart and co. caught some bad juju. Kalen DeBoer’s defensive line crushed Smart’s offensive line to pieces. Even with Smart’s program’s reputation for one of the deepest rosters in college football, the mounting injuries are starting to bite hard on the offensive line. Morris went down with a left leg injury in the second quarter, just as Georgia was adding another touchdown. He limped toward the medical tent after a tense moment on the turf with trainers. The replay showed his left knee hyperextended when he planted his foot on a first-and-goal play. Smart’s offensive lineman did have to be helped off the field, but he seemed to be walking at least somewhat decently. This happened after Morris claimed that Smart had overplayed three athletes, turning the knob on the pressure meter to the right. 

On September 16, Dawgs247 beat writer Jordan D. Hill tweeted, “Micah Morris said he was probably the most tired of himself, Drew Bobo, and Monroe Freeling after each played 95 snaps on Saturday. Morris said he didn’t think he’d played that many snaps before. Said he maybe played 80 snaps in high school, but he knew that wasn’t the same level.”

Now, this is not something that Morris expected to face after promising to work on “pretty much everything” during the bye week. And here Smart had to come with a 6’3 replacement, last minute. But again, that calls for some extra pressure. 

Kirby Smart makes Dontrell Glover step into fire

In the midst of the Georgia vs Alabama game, Jed May tweeted, “Dontrell Glover replaces Morris at left guard. Gaston at right guard, Hughley at right tackle.” Now, you can fathom the pressure on Dontrell Glover’s part. First things first, Glover stands tall at 6’3”, which is shorter than Morris, who is 6’4”. Not just this. Before committing to Smart’s squad, Glover was previously committed to Alabama before Nick Saban’s retirement and DeBoer’s move to Tuscaloosa. 

So, the urge to prove himself on how he made the right choice to board Smart’s wagon is much higher. Glover locked in at right guard for a second straight week, following Georgia’s rotations of Juan Gaston Jr. in Week 1 and Michael Uini in Week 2. Glover enters at a time when Smart and Georgia are already burdened with a long “out” list.

It features tight end Ethan Barbour, the offensive lineman duo-Malachi Toliver and starter Earnest Greene III, along with WR Thomas Blackshear. Of all of them, Smart is probably most worried about Greene III. Facing Alabama without one of your top linemen is never ideal. With Greene graded just 39.4 by Pro Football Focus and Uini at 32.4, Smart had no choice but to turn to redshirt sophomore Bo Hughley. Already, panic is running high in Athens.

What spices things up is that Kalen DeBoer jumped into the gridiron with only two players on the “out” list- linebackers Jah-Marien Latham and Jeremiah Beaman. With the Micah Morris interview, Kirby Smart’s plate is now brimming with woes. Fingers crossed the injury isn’t too severe.