Georgia WR Green's status still in limbo

COLUMBIA -- Georgia looked good in its opener this past weekend, but there's no doubting the fact that the Bulldogs are a better football team with star receiver A.J. Green on the field.

With Saturday's game at South Carolina now five days away, it figures to be an intriguing week regarding the former Summerville standout, who sat out Georgia's 55-7 victory against Louisiana-Lafayette as the NCAA continues to look into whether Green accepted improper benefits from agents.

Georgia coach Mark Richt, at the NCAA's instruction, remains extremely quiet on Green's situation.

"Same answer right now," Richt said Sunday afternoon, referring to his consistent line of declining to comment.

Georgia president Michael Adams opened up a bit more Saturday, talking to reporters in the Sanford Stadium press box.

"It's being handled by our lawyers," Adams said. "I know the outline of it, as I should, but what the verdict is going to be or any of the details, I both can't and shouldn't talk about until it is over."

He later added that the issue is not considered serious "at this stage."

Green was not made available Saturday, but he spoke a handful of times during preseason camp. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Green had 1,771 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns in his first two seasons at Georgia.

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier understands the NCAA waiting game. He learned a little more than an hour before Thursday's kickoff against Southern Miss that 10 of his players had been cleared -- and that two more, offensive tackle Jarriel King and cornerback Chris Culliver, were not.

Like Green, their statuses are not yet known for this week's game, which will shape the early direction of the SEC East race.

"As we've learned, we might not know until Saturday morning if he's playing," Spurrier said of Green. "Georgia might not know until then. Some days they wait until the last day to tell you whether they're playing or not. They tell us who plays and we go at it. That's how you have to operate."

Additional coverage
South Carolina Gamecocks

Without Green, new Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray turned to senior Kris Durham, who had five catches for 83 yards and a score. The Bulldogs also have a big target in tight end Orson Charles. Logan Gray, converted from quarterback, caught a touchdown Saturday.

Reach Travis Haney at thaney@postandcourier.com, check out the Gamecocks blog at postandcourier.com/blogs/gamecocks and follow him on Twitter (@gamecocksblog).