Dale Zanine – USA TODAY Sports
Today was supposed to be the day Keith Marshall emerged from Todd Gurley’s shadow with him starting at running back for Georgia in their game at Tennessee, but then disaster struck with a gruesome knee injury in the first quarter.
Marshall took a shot to the right leg from Tennessee freshman cornerback Cameron Sutton as Marshall leaked out for a short pass and his knee bent inward, and he laid on the Neyland Stadium grass writhing in pain.
After being helped off the field, he sat on the trainer’s table on the Georgia sideline for the rest of the quarter with a bag of ice on his right knee as coaches and teammates came by to console the sophomore running back. Marshall was in line for his most extensive work as a Bulldog with Gurley sidelined with an ankle injury he suffered last week in the win over LSU.
Marshall had 33 yards on five carries before the injury and now Georgia must rely on two freshmen running backs for the duration of the game vs. Tennessee in J.J. Green and Brendan Douglas. The duo has combined for 16 carries and 104 yards through the first four games.
Marshall was the speed back to complement the power of Gurley, and Georgia still has Aaron Murray and a host of other weapons, but this is their second big injury to an important offensive skill player after Malcolm Mitchell was lost in the season opener.
Gurley may be back next week for Georgia’s game vs. Missouri, but based on the tears Marshall had streaming down his face after the injury, it looks like Marshall won’t be back for Georgia until next season.
Patrick’s a college football writer for Rant Sports and radio host on Sportstownchicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatrickASchmidt and add him to your Google network.
