Samuel Has Surgery

Sorry I couldn't update this earlier but I was en route to Gainesville.

Freshman running back Richard Samuel underwent surgery Wednesday at St. Mary's Hospital to repair an injury to ligaments in his wrist he apparently suffered during the Capital One Bowl. The team hoped to avoid surgery, but after several tests, it was determined that the more invasive course of action was necessary.

Samuel will wear a wrist cast for three months, missing out on Georgia spring practice. He expects to be fully healed when the team opens fall camp in August.

Samuel finished the 2008 season second on Georgia's depth chart at tailback, but spent the year battling Caleb King for carries behind starter Knowshon Moreno. Moreno announced earlier this month he was leaving Georgia to enter the NFL draft, and running backs coach Bryan McClendon said there was an open competition for the starting job.

Samuel ran for 137 yards on 26 carries in 2008 and also handled kickoff return duties.