Georgia’s Tate Ratledge Becomes Emergency Option Against No. 1 Texas

Tate Ratledge, a key offensive lineman for the University of Georgia‘s football team, is anticipated to be available as an emergency option for the upcoming game against the top-ranked University of Texas. This follows Ratledge’s recovery from a sprained MCL and ankle sustained during a narrow victory over their previous opponents, with the final scoreline reading 13-12.

Ratledge, previously recognized as a first-team All-SEC guard, underwent tightrope surgery as part of his recovery. As of Georgia’s latest availability report, he remains listed as questionable. During last week’s win over another college team, he was spotted wearing an ankle brace. After the game, head coach Kirby Smart provided optimistic updates on his health status.

“Yeah, he’s much closer,” Smart told reporters on Saturday. “He’s running. He’s on dry land running, pushing it. You know, he’s got a custom-made brace. And we keep hoping he gets better.” With Ratledge sidelined for a month, the gap in the line has been filled by Micah Morris, a redshirt junior who has logged 240 snaps this season, according to Pro Football Focus.

This incident is not Ratledge’s first experience with time off due to injuries. He previously missed a substantial period following a season-ending injury in 2021. Georgia’s offensive line, with four of their five starters returning this season, was considered a potential strength. However, despite adding a new running back to their roster, Georgia has faced challenges in rushing, ranking 13th in the Southeastern Conference (SEC) for rushing yards per game, averaging just 134 yards.

As Georgia heads into Saturday’s game, they face the unusual position of underdog, with Texas favored by 3.5 points according to betting odds. The Bulldogs are eager to see Ratledge return to his starting duties as they prepare for an intense schedule that includes games against their rival Florida, and ranked teams Missouri and Ole Miss.