King still not quite ready

ATHENS – Tailback Caleb King did some minor workouts with the team during Monday’s practice, but he is all but out for this weeke’s game at Oklahoma State.

Head coach Mark Richt said King would likely need to practice by Wednesday to have a shot at playing, and King said he wasn’t sure when coaches would allow him to resume full workouts.

“If I could play, I’d play right now, but it’s on the team doctor, so I don’t have anything to say on how I’m feeling or when I come back,” King said.

King has been sidelined with a sore hamstring since Aug. 12 and has watched his spot on the depth chart slowly slide ever since.

While the sophomore tailback said he has been anxious to get back to work, Richt said the team is being cautious with King’s recovery.

“We don’t want to make him play if he’s not ready,” Richt said. “And if he can’t, it’s a long season. We want him back healthy, that’s the main thing.”

For King, missing the opening game won’t be nearly as difficult as missing the past three weeks of practice.

At the start of the preseason, King, sophomore Richard Samuel and redshirt freshman Carlton Thomas were among five tailbacks battling for the starting job. Samuel has moved to the top of the depth chart in King’s absence after two strong scrimmages, and Thomas is the current No. 2, Richt said.

“The hardest part has been me working so hard in the summer and preseason, and then getting hurt in the first scrimmage,” King said. “But it’s a long season, and I know I’m going to bounce back and be 100 percent, so I’m not going to worry about it.”

If King can return, he would be the third tailback option against Oklahoma State. If not, Richt said Kalvin Daniels would be next off the bench, with fullback Fred Munzenmaier also serving as an option at tailback.

King said he has been getting in two rehab sessions per day since the injury, but won’t force his return. When he does get back in action, however, he said he expects to again compete for a starting job.

“I believe that’s not just at the running backs position,” King said. “You’re always going to compete. That’s football. Whenever I come back, we’re going to compete still.”

BACK TO WORK

Offensive linemen Ben Jones and Chris Davis both returned to practice Monday after missing time with ankle sprains last week.

Jones, Georgia’s starting center, missed nearly all of last week with the injury, while Davis was in a protective boot through the weekend. Both got work against the scout team Monday, however, and Richt said he’s confident that both will be ready for Oklahoma State.

“I’m glad they’re getting (Monday), (Tuesday) and the next two days together,” Richt said. “I don’t think the time Ben and Chris missed will hurt us.”

The return of the two linemen was a big relief for quarterback Joe Cox, too. After Georgia was forced to swap linemen in and out of the starting lineup throughout the 2008 season, Cox said it’s crucial to have the team’s veteran linemen healthy for Oklahoma State.

SHADES OF GRAY

Cox is just days away from his first start in nearly three years, but Richt said fans can expect to see a bit of Georgia’s backup quarterback, too. Logan Gray has been mentioned as a potential change-of-pace quarterback due to his speed and athleticism, but Richt wouldn’t rule out giving Gray a series or two to show what he could do with the offense as well.

“There might be some situations we’ll put him in,” Richt said. “We may give him a series. I don’t know if we’ll do that or not, but it wouldn’t surprise me. But there are some situations we’ll get him in the game.”

For his part, Gray said he’s ready for action. After two years of minimal playing time, he said he feels more confident and comfortable this preseason.