Mark Richt says it's possible for Georgia to play two quarterbacks in season-opener

ATHENS, Ga. -- It's believed the quarterback competition could extend late into preseason practice. Georgia head coach Mark Richt said Wednesday that it's possible it could go all the way through the season-opener against Louisiana-Monroe.

"You'd like to say who the starter is however many days out, but when you start prepping for Louisiana-Monroe, you'd like to have a pecking order," Richt said. "But I'm not set on saying we'll have a first-teamer by then. There's a chance we have a couple of guys getting reps in game one. I'm not sure. We're getting closer."

Quarterback Faton Bauta was with the first team on Wednesday, with Brice Ramsey and Greyson Lambert running with the second and third teams, respectively.

Each quarterback has taken its turn with the first team during the quarterback competition.

During practice, the quarterbacks took turns throwing the deep ball, with Ramsey looking the best of the bunch.

For Friday's upcoming scrimmage, Richt said each quarterback will get an equal amount of reps with the first, second and third teams.

"(In the spring), sometimes it was whichever day that scrimmage would happen on it was that guy's day with the ones," Richt said. "But we're going to divvy them up as equal as we can with the ones. They'll get shots with the ones and the twos, and they all might get some shots with the threes as well so we can try to be as fair as we can, but also as thorough as we can."

Richt said he's been able to gain some quality evaluations from each quarterback when they've been with the second and third teams so far during preseason practice.

"A lot of times you only get some good looks with the ones," Richt said. "But the two units have had their moments when they could pass protect. The three units, at times, have been able to pass protect. When you get a little bit of time in the pocket, it's easier to gauge your quarterback's ability to take care of business."

Floyd returns, Kimbrough sits again

Leonard Floyd's absence from practice didn't last too long.

After missing Tuesday's practice due to a shoulder discomfort, Floyd was able to get back on the field with his teammates Wednesday. He was able to participate in contact but was possibly limited.

The Athens Banner-Herald reported early Wednesday afternoon that Floyd received a precautionary MRI on the shoulder and results came back negative.

Inside linebacker Tim Kimbrough, however, wasn't as fortunate. Kimbrough missed his second consecutive practice with an undisclosed injury. Richt said Kimbrough will be "fine" but declined to talk about any specific injuries.

Freshman receiver Terry Godwin returned to the field following a minor shoulder injury that kept him at least two consecutive practices.

Godwin was seen at Butts-Mehre Heritage Hall on Monday in a protective sling but was participating in practice in a green non-contact jersey just two days later.

Godwin is expected to receive some playing time as a true freshman. He's been running primarily with the second team since the beginning of preseason practice. Sophomore receiver Isaiah McKenzie is still on the mend with a hamstring pull, one that Richt previously said wasn't that serious.

Richt said he didn't want to talk about any specific receivers but that he had five in mind that are close to game-ready. In the next pack of five, Richt said he's hoping two or three receivers move up to the first group.

"Some of that has to do with inexperience, some of it has to do with learning some of the new things we're doing," Richt said. "We'd like to have eight guys, nine guys ready to go every game. I don't think we're quite there yet."

Reggie Davis optimistic in receivers

Never mind that the Georgia receiving corps is replacing Chris Conley and Michael Bennett this year. Junior Reggie Davis is a believer that this year's group will surprise those around the college football landscape.

"I think we'll be real good," Davis said. "The way (receivers coach Bryan McClendon) is pushing us, if we can continue to put in the hard work, we can be the best receiving corps in the nation."

Considering the Bulldogs' lone proven receiver is Malcolm Mitchell, who wasn't 100 percent in 2014 after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament tear in 2013, that's quite a bold statement from Davis.

Davis said he's focused on his route-running this offseason with the plan of becoming a more well-rounded receiver.

"I just had to come a technician with speed," Davis said. "It will definitely help me a lot when I'm on a collision course with somebody just as good as me or even more talented."

Other injuries

Freshman defensive lineman Jonathan Ledbetter and offensive guard Dyshon Sims were not practicing. Sims was on the field in a green non-contact jersey but did not have his helmet on as his teammates participated in drills.

Defensive tackle James DeLoach still has a protective club on his fractured hand but was wearing a regular practice jersey on Wednesday. He was never expected to miss much time.

Linebacker Davin Bellamy was back on the field after being relegated to the stationary bike Tuesday with an injured right hand.

This story was originally published August 12, 2015 at 8:22 PM with the headline "Mark Richt says it's possible for Georgia to play two quarterbacks in season-opener ."