Update on injured Georgia player from Saturday’s practice

Rodrigo Blankenship was noticeably absent when Georgia worked on field goals during the final moments of Saturday’s open practice at Sanford Stadium, considering he’s in an ever-important competition for the starting place-kicker job.

Blankenship was unable to finish practice and was even spotted with a trainer during the day. But Blankenship, a redshirt freshman kicker from Sprayberry, isn’t expected to be out for too long as he only experienced a minor injury during Saturday’s practice, according to a source familiar with the situation.

The injury itself wasn’t revealed but it was a tweak sustained on Saturday. With Blankenship sidelined, sophomore William Ham handled all of the field goal duties at the end of practice. When the snap-hold operation was smooth, Ham did a good job getting height on his kicks. There were a few bad snaps that forced the timing off, with Ham hitting line drives that still went through the uprights.

Ham missed one kick to the right but had two blocked by freshman Mecole Hardman, although both times Hardman penetrated the line of scrimmage with the kick having no chance. Ham did make two field goals from over 40 yards away.

Blankenship showed off his leg previously at the G-Day spring game by making a 46-yard field goal, despite dealing with an upper leg injury at the time. Blankenship has had a good spring and summer competing by all accounts.

Blankenship and Ham have been competing for the job all summer, with the two at least even for the time being.

This story was originally published August 7, 2016 at 2:12 PM with the headline "Update on injured Georgia player from Saturday’s practice."