No. 12 Georgia hopeful of LeCounte's return against Missouri

Posted December 07, 2020 6:00 am

By PAUL NEWBERRY

Georgia defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) returns an interception against Arkansas during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Fayetteville, Ark., Saturday, Sept. 26, 2020. Just in time for a key SEC East game against No. 8 Florida, No. 5 Georgia has to adjust to a rash of new injuries on defense after a rough weekend capped by safety Richard LeCounte avoiding life-threatening injuries in an accident while riding his motorcycle. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File) The Associated Press

Georgia is hopeful that star safety Richard LeCounte will be able to play Saturday in a make-up game against Missouri, six weeks after he was injured in a motorcycle accident.

Coach Kirby Smart said LeCounte was progressing well though he was expected to be held out of contact drills in Monday's practice.

LeCounte sustained a shoulder injury, bruised ribs and several cuts and scrapes in the Oct. 31 accident, which occurred just hours after the No. 12 Bulldogs (6-2) returned to Athens from a 14-3 victory at Kentucky.

Smart also expressed optimism that defensive lineman Jordan Davis and running back Kendall Milton would be able to play against the Tigers (5-3), who have a three-game winning streak.

Davis has been out since sustaining an elbow injury against Kentucky, while Milton went down with a knee injury in a Nov. 7 loss to Florida.

'œWe are hopeful on all three," Smart said. 'œAll three are going to be able to go out and do some things in practice. Kendall is probably going to be in a black shirt. Richard will probably be in a black shirt, non-contact. But they're both going to be able to do some things.'ť

LeCounte is tied for the team lead with three interceptions, despite missing the last three games. He was involved in the crash after recording a career-high 13 tackles and a fumble recovery against Kentucky.

Despite being a senior with NFL aspirations, LeCounte decided to finish the season with the Bulldogs rather than opting out.

Georgia still has two games remaining in the regular season after games against Missouri and Vanderbilt were postponed due to COVID-19 protocols.

The Bulldogs were initially scheduled to face Missouri on Nov. 14. The regular-season finale is now set for Dec. 19 against Vanderbilt, which was supposed to play at Georgia this past Saturday.

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FILE - In this Nov. 23, 2019, file photo, Georgia defensive back Richard LeCounte (2) is greeted by fans before an NCAA football game against Texas A&M in Athens, Ga. Just in time for a key SEC East game against No. 8 Florida, No. 5 Georgia has to adjust to a rash of new injuries on defense after a rough weekend capped by safety Richard LeCounte avoiding life-threatening injuries in an accident while riding his motorcycle. (Joshua L. Jones/Athens Banner-Herald via AP, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, file photo, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart pauses during timeout against Florida during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Jacksonville, Fla. Georgia plays at Sanford Stadium for the first time in six weeks when it hosts Mississippi State Saturday night. Since its last home game, a 44-21 victory over Tennessee on Oct. 10, Georgia has taken double-digit losses to SEC powerhouses Alabama and Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux, File) The Associated Press

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart signals to his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida, Saturday, Nov. 7, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux) The Associated Press

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