Nick Chubb isn't the only University of Georgia tailback whose status for the season opener may be uncertain.
Sony Michel broke his left forearm Sunday night and underwent surgery Monday at Athens Regional Medical Center. The 5-foot-11, 212-pound junior from Plantation, Fla., will begin post-operative rehabilitation and a full recovery is expected, but there is no timetable for his return.
The Athens Banner-Herald was the first to report Michel's injury.
Michel rushed for 1,161 yards and eight touchdowns last season for the Bulldogs, who capped a 10-3 season with a 24-17 triumph over Penn State in the TaxSlayer Bowl. He had 885 yards in the last eight games, when Chubb was out because of ligament damage in a knee.
The 5-10, 220-pound Chubb rushed for an eye-popping 745 yards through the first five games of 2015 before sustaining his injury on the opening play from scrimmage at Tennessee. He did not go through contact drills in spring practice but has continued to impress first-year coach Kirby Smart and his teammates with his desire to get back on the field.
"I've got faith in the trainers that they're going to do a great job with him," Michel said after Georgia's G-Day game in April. "They will make sure he's ready to compete when it's the right time. I'm not surprised by what he's done to this point, because he's such a hard worker.
"I've just got to be prepared for any situation and any circumstance that happens."
Should neither Chubb nor Michel be available to play Sept. 3 against North Carolina in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic in Atlanta, the Bulldogs could turn to senior Brendan Douglas, sophomore Shaquery Wilson, redshirt freshman Tae Crowder or even freshman Elija Holyfield, the son of former heavyweight boxing champion Evander Holyfield. Douglas was limited in the spring after undergoing wrist surgery, while Wilson was a reserve receiver last year who was used this spring in the backfield due to a lack of depth.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.