UGA star receiver Lawrence Cager says he’s out for the season, SEC Championship

Georgia wide receiver Lawrence Cager always tried to persevere through injuries in his final season as a college player. This one might be too steep to overcome.

Head coach Kirby Smart confirmed the news Saturday following a win over Georgia Tech and said Cager underwent successful surgery for an ankle injury. Assumedly, he underwent the “tightrope” procedure that has become popular with Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Smart said Cager is “doubtful,” for a bowl game, effectively ending his season.

“He’s expected to make a full recovery,” Smart said.

Reports surfaced, first from UGASports.com, on Wednesday that the graduate transfer suffered an ankle injury during that day’s practice. Cager has already missed time with a shoulder and rib injury.

He confirmed the potential of an extended absence, at least through the Dec. 7 SEC Championship game vs. LSU, with an Instagram post Friday morning.

“I wish it didn’t come to an end like this,” Cager wrote. “If I could go back in time to the beginning and do it again, there isn’t another school I would rather choose.”

Cager quickly emerged as a star in his lone season at Georgia. He became the go-to target for quarterback Jake Fromm and carried the Bulldogs’ passing attack. Cager recorded a team-leading 476 yards and four touchdowns through eight games. A 132-yard performance against Florida after returning from injury highlighted those efforts.

Georgia will have to lean on freshmen George Pickens and Dominick Blaylock in Cager’s absence.

“My boys know that we going get that SEC Champ and I’m still with them even if I’m not on the field,” Cager wrote. “Big Dawgs always going to shake back!”

This story was originally published November 29, 2019 at 11:28 AM.