McKenzie, Hall head Georgia's lengthy injury list (update)

ATHENS - Georgia has gone through a grueling opening stretch of preseason practice, and it showed on Monday morning.

A number of players were sitting out practice or were limited with apparent injuries. It included players who were out last week, as well as some who participated in Saturday's first preseason scrimmage.

Fullback Merritt Hall, the projected starter, was standing to the side in a green jersey, signifying an injury. In Hall's absence the first two fullbacks receiving reps were Taylor Maxey and Cameron Faulkner.

But there was also a new name at fullback: Freshman Detric Bing-Dukes, signed as an inside linebacker, was getting fullback reps during the media viewing period. It was unclear if it was just an experiment, or a sign that the team is concerned about the fullback position, especially with Quayvon Hicks continuing to practice at tight end and H-back.

Bing-Dukes rotated between fullback and linebacker during Monday's morning practice, fellow freshman Nick Chubb said after practice. Chubb, who said he's close with Bing-Dukes, said he didn't know whether his friend's move is temporary or not.

Hall's situation is considered more than a day-to-day injury, according to a source.

The team has said it will not release injury information this year.

Freshman Isaiah McKenzie, one of the stars of that scrimmage, was sitting out the practice. The receiver-kick returner stood to the side, his left leg taped below the knee and above the ankle. But he was walking around fine.

Freshman Dominick Sanders, a candidate for playing time at safety, was also out. Like McKenzie he stood to the side, watching the defensive backs practice.

Inside linebacker Ramik Wilson remained out with what sources have said is a concussion. Wilson's absence is now reaching the one-week mark. Fellow inside linebacker Ryne Rankin also continued to miss practice, with an unspecified injury.

Georgia had Sunday off, with Monday marking its third two-a-days practice. The team had two last week, and has been in full pads since Tuesday. So it's inevitable that there would be injuries.

Chris Mayes, a potential starter at nose tackle, also continued to sit out with an unknown injury. Mayes was not on the field with his teammates. And A.J. McDonald, a walk-on linebacker, remained out with an unspecified injury.

The receiver position looked like a Christmas pageant, with almost as many players in green jerseys as the normal red. Those in green but practicing included Chris Conley, Jonathon Rumph, Kenneth Towns and Justin Scott-Wesley. There was also McKenzie standing to the side, while Charlie Hegedus was on an exercise bike.

That doesn't even include Malcolm Mitchell, who remains out after arthroscopic knee surgery the day before the preseason began. Mitchell's status for the season opener remains in doubt.

One bit of good news for the team was the return of Jordan Davis, the backup tight end who missed the tail end of last week. The tight end position was pretty lean last week, but starter Jay Rome was also going in a regular red jersey on Monday morning.

Shattle Fenteng, the junior cornerback, was also practicing, albeit in a green non-contact jersey. Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd was in a normal jersey, as he was late last week after being limited in some practices.

Offensive line update

The offensive front five appears to be one spot unafflicted with injuries. There were no green jerseys with Will Friend's group, which also seems to be closer to settling on a starting five, or at least a top rotation.

During the media viewing period, sophomore Brandon Kublanow was working with the first team at left guard. The rest of the first team was as expected: Left tackle John Theus, center David Andrews, right guard Greg Pyke and right tackle Kolton Houston.

Senior Watts Dantzler was also subbing in at right tackle.

The offensive line was working with "six or seven" players in the main rotation during Saturday's scrimmage, according to quarterback Hutson Mason.

This story was originally published August 11, 2014 at 10:20 AM.