Kirby Smart offered a clearer picture Wednesday of why Kyron Jones’ role in Georgia’s secondary has dipped, and it starts with the foot injury that has been nagging him for more than a year.
Jones had opened the first four games at safety opposite KJ Bolden, but after Bolden missed the Auburn game, Georgia went with Ja’Marley Riddle and did not turn to Jones for defensive snaps in the 27-24 loss. Smart said Jones is still working through a lower leg issue that has limited how much he can handle.
“He’s been dealing with an injury for over a year now,” Smart said. “He’s dealing with a tough lower leg extremity that’s bothered him some and it’s really hard to manage for him.
He’s not able to have the volume that he probably needs. He’s got to do things on banked reps and he’s a guy that’s been in our program a long time.
He’s a really tough, hard-nosed player that works his tail off every day. He’s been helping us more on special teams.”
Jones, a Charlotte native in his fourth season at Georgia, was replaced by Rasean Dinkins in Week 5. Against Auburn, he did not log a defensive snap after playing four against Alabama and one against Vanderbilt, according to Pro Football Focus. He has 65 total snaps this season and five tackles.
Bolden’s availability for Saturday’s game against Florida remains up in the air because of a lower leg injury. The first SEC availability report is set to come out Wednesday night.
With Bolden out against Auburn, Riddle handled 75 snaps and Zion Branch played five.
“Ja'Marley's improving,” Smart said. “He plays more strong safety than anything else.
He's very intelligent. He has good instincts, and he communicates really well.
…He improves every day in our system, understanding how to do things. He's got good competition around him, including Dink, including Kyron, including Zion, all those guys, Todd (Robinson).
They've all improved and continue to get better."
Smart also addressed outside linebacker Amaris Williams, the Auburn transfer who tore his ACL in the spring. Williams is doing limited work in practice, but Smart said he is not close to returning.
“He’s not in any shape to play or anything right now,” Smart said.
Smart added that he did not know whether Williams could return this season.
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