Georgia Tech quarterback Justin Thomas is expected to play in Saturday’s game at Virginia Tech.
“I fully expect Justin Thomas to play,” coach Paul Johnson said on his radio show Monday night. “I think he’s going to be O.K.”
Center Freddie Burden’s status is less clear.
“We think he’s all right; we’ll see,” Johnson said following practice Monday.
Both players left last week’s 48-20 loss to North Carolina with what were described as “upper body injuries.” Thomas appeared to suffer a cut or bruise on his cheek, while Burden’s injury is unknown.
Thomas, a redshirt senior, is unquestionably Tech’s best player. He is the second-leading rusher with 62.3 yards per game and has completed 63-of-115 passes with seven touchdowns and one interception this season. Matthew Jordan came on in place of Thomas and had 11 carries for 54 yards. He didn’t attempt a pass and has completed 1-of-2 this season.
“I thought he played hard,” Johnson said of Jordan.
Burden is the only other senior starter on offense. He was replaced by freshman Kenny Cooper, who became one of three freshmen to play on the line last week along with Parker Braun and Jahaziel Lee. Tech finished with 518 yards, including 334 rushing.
“For his first time out there he held his own,” Johnson said of Cooper.
Additionally, B-back Marcus Marshall and A-back J.J. Green, each of whom missed last week’s game because of injuries, may return, according to Johnson. TaQuon Marshall, the third-string quarterback may play at A-back, which is where he started his career.
Tech isn’t required to release an injury report for Saturday’s game until Thursday.
Tech (5-4, 2-4 ACC) has two challenges this week.
First, the Yellow Jackets need one more win to become bowl eligible and will likely be favored to win just one of its remaining three games with Virginia (2-7) and Georgia (5-4) in Athens the other two games.
Second, the Yellow Jackets must regain their focus after what several players described as an embarrassing performance against North Carolina. The Tar Heels rolled up 636 yards against the Yellow Jackets a week after Duke had more than 500.
“There really isn’t too much to say,” senior defensive tackle Pat Gamble said. “We have to play better, man. To win football games at this level you have to play good defense. We haven’t been doing that of late.”
Defensive coordinator Ted Roof said he and the assistants are working around the clock to try to find pieces of the defense that will work.
“I take responsibility for it all,” he said. “It’s not one thing or one this or one that. It’s a combination of things. There’s still a lot of football left to play. The final chapter hasn’t been written.”
Roof said it’s not a lack of effort or confidence. The players and coaches simply just have to perform better.
He said the players are working hard and preparing well, but at times that focus isn’t carrying over to the games.
“It’s not one thing or person,” he said. “It’s a combination of things. That’s why they call us a team.”
