Tate Ratledge undergoes ankle surgery for Georgia Bulldogs

Tate Ratledge, a senior guard for the Georgia Bulldogs, underwent TightRope surgery on his sprained left ankle following an injury sustained during the second quarter of a game against Kentucky. The surgery took place on Monday, and it is anticipated that he will miss several games as he recovers. The typical recovery period for this procedure is estimated to be four to six weeks, which could impact the Bulldogs' lineup in upcoming matches. In contrast, the news regarding star quarterback Carson Beck is more positive. Beck suffered a sprained AC joint in his nonthrowing shoulder during the same game but is not expected to miss any playing time. Coach Kirby Smart noted that Beck has been practicing without issues, indicating that his injury is not severe, especially given the prevalence of similar injuries among the team. The Bulldogs have an open date this week, allowing them some time to adjust their roster before facing No. 4 Alabama on September 28. Following that, they will play home games against Auburn and Mississippi State, leading up to a significant matchup against No. 1 Texas on October 19. Ratledge's absence will require adjustments in the offensive line, with juniors Micah Morris and Dylan Fairchild stepping in as guards. Ratledge has been a key player for Georgia, starting 31 games throughout his career and earning accolades as a second-team All-American and first-team All-SEC selection in 2023. His projected ranking as the No. 4 interior offensive line prospect for the 2025 NFL draft highlights his importance to the team and the potential impact of his injury on both his career and the Bulldogs' season.