Brown could be out 2007, too

ATHENS - Junior running back Thomas Brown may sit out the 2007 season due to the torn ACL he suffered in Saturday’s loss to Vanderbilt.

Knee surgeries like the one in Brown’s future often take more than a year to recover completely from, and he could be limited if he returns next season. Georgia won’t make a determination on his status until preseason practice next year, Coach Mark Richt said Sunday.

“He might be the hardest worker in the program. He might be the strongest guy pound-for-pound in the program,” Richt said. “Of the guys you would predict to rehab well and come back early, he’d be one of them. The question is how comfortable and confident he can get in camp.”

Brown has a redshirt season left so he could sit out and retain a year of eligibility. Junior wide receiver Sean Bailey is using a redshirt this season after tearing his ACL in December last year.

The Bulldogs (5-2, 2-2 SEC) have other injuries concerns as well. Tight end Martrez Milner (toe), center Nick Jones (knee) and guard Chester Adams (ankle) all are doubtful for Saturday’s 1 p.m. game against Mississippi State. All three “probably” will play Oct. 28 when Georgia takes on Florida, Richt said.

Milner has a “pretty severe” case of turf toe, Richt said. Tripp Chandler has been Georgia’s No. 2 tight end all season, but junior Coleman Watson will get a chance to compete for the starting job this week, Richt said.

Adams was on crutches after Saturday’s game. Jones suffered a minor MCL sprain but finished the game.

“It’s hard to tell how severe (Jones’ injury) is,” Richt said. “In a couple days, it may feel well enough to go.”

Georgia will move No. 3 tackle Michael Turner to guard to take Adams’ place and work Ian Smith as its first-team center in today’s practice, Richt said.

The Bulldogs still doesn’t expect to play any of their true freshmen linemen this year, Richt said.

“If (Jones and Adams) were out for the year, I don’t think there’s any doubt we’d have to start greasing those (freshmen) up right now,” he said.