One of Georgia football’s most accomplished players on this year’s team is working his way back from injury.
Brett Thorson, one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award last season for nation’s top punter, sustained an injury to his left knee in the SEC championship game last season. Thorson punts with his right leg.
Thorson sustained damage to his ACL and MCL. He did not play in the Sugar Bowl.
Kirk Benedict, Georgia’s special teams coordinator who has been on staff since 2022, praised how Thorson, a senior, has gotten after it in his rehab.
“Seeing him rehab an injury, you get to see him in a different light,” Benedict said on Wednesday Aug. 6. “I’ve been proud of him the way he has attacked the rehab and how he’s really, really been proactive about getting after it in the traininng room. He’s been great.”
Coach Kirby Smart said in mid-July that Thorson had started punting, but he said then he didn’t know if the Aussie would be the punter at the start of the season.
Benedict was asked if Thorson, entering his fourth season as Georgia’s punter, will be ready to punt for the Aug. 30 opener against Marshall, but didn’t say for sure.
“He’s on schedule, he’s doing great,” Benedit said.
Georgia opens with Marshall and Austin Peay before playing at No. 18 Tennessee on Sept. 13.
Redshirt freshman Drew Miller would be in line to punt if Thorson doesn’t go.
The Bulldogs would seem to be able to get past through the first two weeks without Thorson just fine.
“He’s doing everything the training room asked him to do and probably more,” Benedict said. “He’s eager, I know. Obviously, the training room has certain guidelines they got to meet and whatnot. He’s right on track. He’s doing well.”