Georgia trounced Ole Miss 52-17 last week despite missing one of its finest defensive players. Linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson did not play after injuring his forearm against Missouri in Week 10. The victory propelled Georgia to the top of the College Football Playoff standings.
Dumas-Johnson was an All-American last season and has already put up great numbers as a junior with 34 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two pass breakups. However, he’ll be out for the foreseeable future and will leave a big void in the middle of the defense.
Against Ole Miss, CJ Allen stepped up with four solo tackles, five assists, and one sack. Dumas-Johnson didn’t play with a cast on his broken forearm, but before the matchup, Kirby Smart was asked about that possibility.
Smart said, “I don’t think so. It’s one of those where I doubt he’s going to be able to, but I don’t know.”
Smart has a lot of faith in Allen, along with sophomore Jalon Walker, and junior Smael Mondon, the team’s leading tackler, to maintain the level of play at inside linebacker without Dumas-Johnson.
“They played before he got hurt and those guys have played all year, so we need those guys to keep coming and to grow up.”
Georgia is No. 9 in total defense and 13th in yards per play allowed. Ole Miss only gained 5.1 yards per play in Week 11, which is slightly off the Bulldogs’ season average of 4.7 yards per play. Tennessee relies heavily on the run game, so inside linebacker play will be important.
Jamon Dumas-Johnson injury status:
Dumas-Johnson is OUT INDEFINIETLY and will not play against Tennessee.
