Dawgs win, but injuries piling up

NASHVILLE - It didn’t take long for Georgia’s injury fears to be realized Saturday against Vanderbilt.

Starting defensive tackle Kedric Golston tore ligaments in his left elbow in the first half and will miss at least two-to-three weeks, he said. The injury will not require surgery, Golston said, and he expects to be able to return before the end of the season.

“From what the doctors tell me, yeah,” he said.

The best case scenario for Golston appears to be a return for the Nov. 12 Auburn game. The Bulldogs entered the game without starting defensive tackle Gerald Anderson (concussion).

With Golston on the sideline, the Bulldogs were left rotating Ray Gant, true freshman Jeff Owens, senior Darrius Swain and little-used Dale Dixson in the middle of their defensive line against the Commodores.

Anderson probably won’t return until the Oct. 29 Florida game. With he and Anderson both out, Georgia likely will be left starting Gant and Owens in the middle of their defensive line. Georgia also will be without starting middle linebacker Tony Taylor (elbow) at least next week.

“This is a time for guys to grow,” Gant said. “We have to come together as a defense now more than we ever have.”

Swain had a sack in the first quarter but left the game shortly thereafter after fracturing bones in his left hand. He returned after having a cast put on his hand in the locker room.

Tight end Martrez Milner also went out with a hand injury, but he returned to play in the second half. Quarterback D.J. Shockley also was mildly shaken up. He came out of the game for one play in the second quarter with an unknown injury, but returned immediately to hand the ball off to Lumpkin on a 9-yard touchdown run.