Georgia's Jacob Eason is fine, but Tim Kimbrough may be done with Bulldogs

Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason was spotted having his shoulder examined during Tuesday night's workout but is just fine, coach Kirby Smart said Wednesday.
Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason was spotted having his shoulder examined during Tuesday night's workout but is just fine, coach Kirby Smart said Wednesday.

All is well with Georgia freshman quarterback Jacob Eason.

Not so much with senior inside linebacker and top returning tackler Tim Kimbrough.

Eason was spotted during Tuesday night's practice getting his shoulder examined, but the five-star signee looked healthy Wednesday afternoon and is just fine, first-year coach Kirby Smart said.

"Jacob didn't go to the training room before (Tuesday's) practice like he usually does," Smart said Wednesday evening after a two-hour practice in full pads, "so he didn't have his normal routine. When we got off the bus, he had to get loosened up a bit."

Eason is competing for the starting job with fifth-year senior Greyson Lambert and redshirt junior Brice Ramsey. The Bulldogs are scheduled to practice today and tomorrow before scrimmaging for the first time this preseason on Saturday.

Smart expects all three quarterbacks to work with the first- and second-team offenses Saturday, and he added that nobody has taken charge.

"We look at the statistics and the numbers and the decision-making, because there is a lot that goes into making the right decision," Smart said. "Saturday is going to be a big indicator of who's going to continue to get more reps after that."

Smart also said that it would be closer to Saturday before he determines whether junior tailback Nick Chubb would participate and how much he could do coming off ligament surgery.

Kimbrough, who had 67 tackles and 5 1/2 tackles for loss a year ago, was not spotted at Wednesday's practice. Smart said the 6-foot, 226-pounder from Indianapolis had taken a leave of absence, but that leave may be permanent based on several messages Kimbrough posted Wednesday night via Twitter.

"Sometimes in life you will have to make a hard decision, even if you don't want to make it," Kimbrough posted. "You just have to do it. I didn't want to do it, believe me. It was a family decision. I love the UGA fans! I do everything for y'all."

Kimbrough made seven starts last season but had been working on the second team in camp behind the top tandem of Reggie Carter and Natrez Patrick. Roquan Smith also is getting time with the first team inside.

Today's practice will be the 11th of the month and the first after classes begin.

"With school starting, we're out of camp, and it seems way too early to be out of camp," Smart said. "We'll keep pushing and get a lot out of them. You're never where you want to be. We've got a long way to go and a lot of improving to do.

"The kids are getting better. They're competitive. They're picking things up, and you're seeing younger kids gaining confidence."

Odds and ends

Junior receiver Isaiah McKenzie suffered a shoulder bruise during Tuesday night's practice that kept him out of contact work Wednesday. Freshman punter Marshall Long is battling a groin injury. Sophomore defensive end Jonathan Ledbetter, who has been arrested twice this year on alcohol-related charges, has returned to practicing on most days but is not "full-time back with the team," Smart said.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

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