Georgia's Pickens to undergo surgery following ACL injury
Georgia wide receiver George Pickens will undergo surgery to repair the ACL in his right knee, according to Matt Zenitz of AL.com.
The junior wideout suffered the injury on a non-contact play during the Bulldogs' spring practice on Tuesday, Zenitz adds.
Pickens has already started his pre-op rehabilitation program and is expected to make a full recovery.
Georgia did not provide a timeline for when the surgery will take place.
"The good news is that the MRI showed it to be an isolated injury with no other structures involved," according to head coach Kirby Smart. "George is a hard worker. I know he will bring the same work ethic to rehab that he shows in practice every day," Smart said.
Pickens led the Bulldogs with six touchdown receptions in 2020 while adding 36 receptions for 513 yards in eight contests. The 20-year-old was Georgia’s leading receiver as a freshman with 49 receptions for 727 yards and eight scores during the 2019 campaign.
The injury could be a huge blow to a Bulldogs offense that found rhythm late last season with JT Daniels at starting quarterback. Pickens blossomed over Georgia's final four games, hauling in 23 catches for 373 yards to go along with four touchdowns.
The Bulldogs do possess talent within their deep receiving corps in Kearis Jackson and Jermaine Burton, as well as tight end Darnell Washington.
Georgia is scheduled to kick off the 2021 season against Clemson on September 4th in Charlotte, North Carolina.