The Georgia Bulldogs are preparing for the TaxSlayer Bowl without a full allotment of coaches.
They're down a couple of players as well.
Junior inside linebacker Tim Kimbrough, whose 67 tackles rank third on the Bulldogs, will miss the Jan. 2 matchup due to what interim coach Bryan McClendon described Monday afternoon as "matters that have been handled internally." The 6-foot, 226-pounder from Indianapolis started seven of Georgia's last eight regular-season contests.
"Right now, it's just for this game," McClendon said of Kimbrough's suspension in a news conference. "Anything beyond this game is up to Coach (Kirby) Smart."
Kimbrough's busiest game this season occurred in the 38-31 loss at Tennessee, when he racked up 11 tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss. Freshman Natrez Patrick, who is coming off a four-tackle performance at Georgia Tech, is expected to replace Kimbrough.
Also missing the bowl will be junior tailback Brendan Douglas, who recently underwent wrist surgery. With Douglas out and with Nick Chubb having been out since the Oct. 10 game in Knoxville, the Bulldogs will take a tailback depth chart of Sony Michel, Keith Marshall and A.J. Turman to Jacksonville.
Marshall had just five carries in the last three games, while Turman hasn't rushed the ball all season.
The Bulldogs practiced for two hours Monday afternoon and will work out this morning before having the rest of this week off. Players will reconvene Sunday in Jacksonville and practice Monday morning at the University of North Florida.
McClendon was asked how he would handle the next few days personally, given that he may not be retained by Smart.
"I've kept my focus on the bowl and have pushed everything else back," McClendon said. "I'll have three or four days this week to sit down and really investigate and talk to people and come up with what's best for the McClendon family. On Sunday, all my focus will be back on the bowl game.
"We'll be focusing on the game, focusing on the kids and focusing on making UGA the best it can be in Jacksonville."
Former mascot dies
English Bulldog mascot Uga IX, also known as "Russ," died in his sleep Monday morning according to the Seiler family, who have provided Georgia's mascots since 1956. Georgia held a retirement ceremony for Russ on Nov. 21, which preceded the 23-17 overtime win over Georgia Southern.
Russ had a record of 44-19 as mascot before being replaced by Uga X, who is known also as "Que."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.