ATHENS -- The eligibility status of outside linebacker Jarvis Jones is now in the hands of the SEC and eventually probably the NCAA.

Georgia has submitted its report to the SEC after doing its own investigation into Jones’ case. The Columbus Ledger-Enquirer has reported that police records show Tony Adams, who is Jones’ former AAU basketball coach, purchased plane tickets and perhaps a laptop for the player. That could be ruled an improper benefit, unless it is found that Jones had a long-standing, pre-existing relationship with Adams.

“The only thing I know is that we have submitted whatever we have found to the SEC offices, and we’re just kind of waiting,” head coach Mark Richt said. “That’s all I’m really allowed to say.”

The school declined to release the information it sent the SEC, citing FIRPA (student privacy) concerns.

Meanwhile, Richt said the school is waiting to hear on freshman Kent Turene, whose eligibility status is stuck in the NCAA Clearinghouse. Turene will not practice until he is cleared.

Looking out for No. 1

Freshman tailback Isaiah Crowell is wearing No. 1, which junior cornerback Branden Smith also wears. That’s fine if neither is on the field at the same time, but Smith has played offense before and starred at receiver in the spring game.

So the Bulldogs would either have to keep Crowell off the field when Smith plays offense -- or they could ask one of them to switch to No. 3 or No. 4. Those are now open thanks to the departures of tailbacks Washaun Ealey and Caleb King.

“It’s possible,” Richt said. “We’ll go through camp. We’ll see how much offense Branden’s gonna be involved in. If it looks like we’ll need both those guys on the field at the same time, then certainly we’ll have to do something.”

Stripling back

If Jones can’t play, his replacement may be T.J. Stripling. The sophomore was in a regular contact jersey Thursday, a sign that his surgically repaired leg is in good shape.

Stripling suffered a knee injury last year at Colorado, ending a promising freshman season. The 6-foot-6, 222-pounder from Decatur “has a chance to be productive,” according to Richt.

Dexter Morant might also be a candidate to be an outside rusher. But the redshirt freshman, recovering from shoulder surgery, still has to get healthy.

“Right now T.J. is much closer to being able to play. Dexter had two shoulder surgeries back to back.” Richt said. “T.J.’s was an injury that historically people heal 100 percent. And his surgery happened further back than some of Dexter’s was. The chance of Dexter being really productive this season, it’s not impossible.”

More injury updates

Another player in a green non-contact jersey was defensive end Derrick Lott, who lacerated his leg last month in a scooter accident. Lott, listed as a second-teamer, is supposed to be able to return in a couple weeks.

Offensive lineman Austin Long, a sophomore reserve, is also out for a couple of weeks with mononucleosis.