ATHENS - Georgia senior defensive end Abry Jones had surgery on his ankle Tuesday, and the current estimate for recovery time is six weeks, according to one of his high school coaches.

That leaves Jones' ability to return this season a question mark. He would be able to return for a bowl, but a quick recovery could get him back on the field sooner.

“We’re looking at six weeks," said Kevin Kinsler, the head coach at Northside High School, where Jones played before coming to Georgia. "They were able to clean it up pretty good, so he could come back sooner than expected. Right now, it’s too early to tell.”

Kinsler said he had not spoken directly to Jones, but had been in touch with the family.

“We’re hoping that his rehab goes well. That’s probably what it’s going to amount to,” Kinsler said.

Jones injured the ankle on the first drive of last Saturday's game at Kentucky. He was already dealing with a sprained ankle, but head coach Mark Richt said after the game that it was a different kind of ankle injury.

Jones has started every game for Georgia the past two seasons. Last year he had four sacks, third on the team, but this year he hasn't recorded one yet. He does have 17 tackles, one tackle-for-loss and five quarterback hits.

“Abry is a very mature guy. He always handles adversity well," said Kinsler, who was the defensive coordinator at Northside when Jones played there. "He has good parents that taught him well. He’s got a good personality about it, and he’s a hard worker, and I know he’s gonna work hard to get back on the field. Obviously as a senior it’s a hard thing to have happen, especially as well as they’re doing. But we’re hoping for the best.”

Richt, speaking during the SEC teleconference on Wednesday afternoon, was circumspect:

"He won't play on Saturday, and that's all I'll confirm," Richt said, declining to say more.