ATHENS -- Marc Deas decided two weeks ago to leave the Georgia football program, frustrated because he didn’t think he would be playing much.

But the safety from Florida, who went as far to whittle his list to Central Florida and Georgia Southern, has instead elected to stay put.

“Taking that time off, it really helped me to see things through,” Deas said. “So I’m sticking here and seeing through.”

Deas, who will be a sophomore this fall, was back at practice Tuesday. He said he also has some discipline runs as punishments, but he was fine with that.

“It’s been a long day. But I can’t stop smiling,” he said. “I’m just happy to be back.”

Deas isn’t the first Bulldogs player to change his mind after having his transfer announced. Last fall tailback Ken Malcome returned the next day, and two years ago defensive end Dexter Morant also changed his mind. Malcome and Morant are still with the team, and Malcome is the second-team tailback behind Isaiah Crowell.

Mitchell hurt, too

Saturday’s G-Day game may be losing another story line: Malcolm Mitchell missed Tuesday’s practice with a hamstring injury.

That would put Mitchell’s status at unlikely for Saturday. Mitchell, who was Georgia’s top receiver as a freshman, has been playing cornerback this spring.

Freshman tailback Keith Marshall (hamstring) has already been ruled out for G-Day.