Kirby Smart: 'I think Nick Chubb's going to be fine. But I won't know that until the first scrimmage'

No matter where Kirby Smart is, he’s bound to get a question about the health of running back Nick Chubb.

Chubb is returning from a serious knee injury and is expected to participate in everything except live tackling when preseason practice begins in August. A lot will be determined as to whether Chubb can start the Sept. 3 season-opener against North Carolina once he tests his knee with contact.

Smart, participating in ESPN’s “car wash” programming Monday, went on the “Mike and Mike” radio show and expressed more optimism about Chubb’s long-term outlook.

“I think Nick Chubb’s going to be fine,” Smart said. “But I won’t know that until the first scrimmage. Or the second scrimmage. When we get to go live and tackle and hit and he gets over that mental aspect of taking that first hit.”

Chubb’s progress has astounded coaches and players alike, with Smart stating during the spring that the Cedartown native was ahead of schedule with his recovery.

Having torn three ligaments and damaged cartilage, Chubb’s been able to rehab quicker than perhaps even Smart expected.

“There’s nobody in the country who could be back as fast as he is right now,” Smart said. “And he’s sped up the progress by his effort and toughness.”

In addition to Chubb, running back Sony Michel is recovering from a broken arm – in which the bone was exposed due to an open fracture – that was sustained in an ATV accident on July 3. It’s also unknown if Michel will be able to play in Georgia’s season-opener against North Carolina.

During the same “Mike and Mike” appearance, Smart was given the chance to respond to Greenberg’s spring criticism of him with initially not allowing A.J. Turman to transfer to Miami as part of his release from the program.

Greenberg said, “Shame on you, Kirby Smart” during a March broadcast.

“I think in the down time of college football, when there’s not a lot going on, it’s easy to reach and grab straws to yell and scream about something, and I certainly think that issue is a sensitive issue to a lot of people,” Smart said. “And I certainly see both sides of the issue.”

This story was originally published July 18, 2016 at 1:55 PM with the headline "Kirby Smart: 'I think Nick Chubb's going to be fine. But I won't know that until the first scrimmage'."