Richt's message to fans, plus injury notes

Near the end of his weekly news conference on Tuesday, Mark Richt was asked about the fans not being happy with the state of the team (and program) with an 0-2 start in the SEC.

“They’re not?” Richt said, smiling. “Neither is my mom. Well, the state of the program is we’re getting ready for Mississippi State. It’s early in the year. We’re getting ready to play another Southeastern Conference game, trying to get one win in the league. ... Just keep supporting, keep fighting, and we will too.”

Richt didn’t get into it much more. It was more of his emphasis from the Sunday teleconference: Just get back to work, keep grinding, and not necessarily using the record as motivation.

“I don’t think we’ve gotta remind them that we’re 0-2 right now,” Richt said.

A few other notes:

- Branden Smith did have a concussion, and his status for Saturday’s game at Mississippi State is uncertain. The cornerback-punt returner won’t practice on Tuesday, but Richt said Smith had “a chance” to practice before the week was out.

“He is getting better,” Smith said.

Speaking of concussions, freshman tailback Ken Malcome also had one recently. Malcome has yet to play and is likely going to redshirt anyway.

And speaking of freshmen who are hurt while redshirting, Dexter Morant had shoulder surgery more than a week ago. The linebacker-defensive end probably won’t practice the rest of the fall, as he might need surgery on the other shoulder too.

- Tailback Caleb King is likely to play. But fullback Shaun Chapas is questionable.

- Guard Chris Davis won’t go in regular drills Tuesday, but could be ready for Saturday. Inside linebacker Marcus Dowtin should play.

- Nick Williams hasn’t been playing because he’s been working at safety and linebacker. It’s an ongoing saga with Williams, who is listed as safety but has been worked at linebacker, especially last week with Dowtin’s injury.

“It’s unfortunate that we haven’t been able to settle him into one position,” Richt said.

- Richt had kind thinigs to say about Kiante Tripp, who has been getting some snaps on the line. Tripp technically is an end, but has been playing the nose tackle spot in nickel situations.

“He’s not been overly productive in terms of sacks or tackles for loss,” Richt said. “But you can be doing your job up front and not necessarily getting the statistics to prove it.”