Injury updates

Coach Mark Richt is getting more optimistic about linebacker Akeem Dent being able to play in the season opener.

Dent recently had stitches taken out of his toe, which required surgery in July. The senior, who is considered the leader of the defense, has not been practicing.

But Richt said after Saturday’s practice that Dent playing on Sept. 4 against Louisiana-Lafayette was a “pretty good shot” and “fairly realistic.”

The same goes for receiver Rantavious Wooten, who suffered a left knee sprain on Thursday. It will not require surgery, according to Richt, who expects Wooten to be out “a couple weeks.”