Georgia vs Michigan Orange Bowl Injury Report, Covid News and Updates for CFP Semifinal

• #2 Michigan clashes with #3 Georgia in the 2021 Orange Bowl 
• The Wolverines have a relatively clean bill of health, while the Bulldogs are nearing 100% health as kickoff for this game nears
• See below for the injury reports of both teams and how potential key absences could affect the outcome

The 2021 Orange Bowl is set to kickoff (Dec. 31, 7:30pm ET) at Hard Rock Stadium. As the game draws near, both the 12-1 #2-ranked Michigan Wolverines and the 12-1 #3-ranked Georgia Bulldogs are getting closer to 100% healthy rosters.

A COVID-19 outbreak that was impacting the Bulldogs a couple of weeks ago appears to have worked its way clear of the team. Both second-string quarterback JT Daniels and playmaking junior wide receiver George Pickens arrived in Miami earlier this week after clearing COVID-19 protocols. Both players tested positive for COVID a week ago.

The Bulldogs are being listed as 7.5-point favorites to win the game, one of two College Football Playoff semifinals.  SEC teams are 11-4 all-time in CFP history. They’re the only conference with a winning record in the event. The Big Ten is 3-4. Ohio State went to the final last year but no Big Ten team has won the CFP since the 2014-15 Buckeyes.

Where The Heck Is Michigan’s Daxton Hill?

The main mystery surrounding the Orange Bowl is the ongoing saga of Michigan nickel back Daxton Hill. Did Hill travel with the team? Is he in Miami? Is he elsewhere? Will Hill be playing on Friday night?

Cade McNamara on if Daxton Hill traveled for the game: "It's not our job to comment on other players, so we'll let Coach Harbaugh answer that question."

— TheWolverine.com (@TheWolverineOn3) December 29, 2021

No one seems to know for sure and those who would be able to verify Hill’s whereabouts so far aren’t talking. One worrisome fact involving Hill is that his brother, Baltimore Ravens running back Justice Hill, was placed in the NFL’s COVID-19 protocols on Christmas Day.

However, according to published reports, Michigan was the lone team among the four CFP participants that didn’t permit any players to travel home for the holidays.

Michigan Injury Report

The junior defensive back is Michigan’s second-leading tackler with 65 tackles. That total is including 4.5 tackles for loss. Hill has also made nine pass deflections and picked off a pair of passes.

Hill made the move from safety to the nickel back position this season. He’s rated highly for the 2021 NFL Draft, with speculation that Hill could be a late first-round pick.

Michigan officials have refused to answer all questions regarding Hill’s status since the team arrived in Miami.

Bennett to Continue as Georgia’s Starting QB

Despite a 41-24 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC Championship game that ended their perfect season, the Bulldogs are remaining all in with Stetson Bennett as their starting quarterback.

Though he clearly struggled in the setback against the Tide, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart indicated that he never entertained the notion of pulling Bennett from the game. The senior took over under center for the Bulldogs in the second game of the season against Vanderbilt after junior starter Daniels pulled a lat muscle.

UGA Bulldogs QB Stetson Bennett:

I don't listen to those who know absolutely nothing about football.. someone who doesn't do this for a living. I don't think about it.. I think about beating Michigan and being the best player for my teammates.

— Zach Klein (@ZachKleinWSB) December 28, 2021

Bennett has thrown for 2,325 yards, with 24 touchdowns and just seven interceptions. The season saw him completing 64% of his passes.

Georgia Injury Report

Georgia ramped up its enhanced measures for dealing with COVID-19 when the Omicron variant hit the state hard. The team also offered booster vaccines to players on four different occasions.

It appears to have worked. The Bulldogs players who tested positive were only mildly impacted and quickly cleared COVID-19 protocols.

Georgia dealt with ongoing injury issues all season long. Heading into the Orange Bowl, the Bulldogs look to be the healthiest that they’ve been all season long.

Offensive tackle Jamaree Salyer and strong safety Christopher Smith, who both left the SEC Championship game with injuries, have been cleared to play. Salyer, Georgia’s starting left tackle, came back for the Alabama contest after missing the previous four games due to injury. Smart indicated the month’s break since that game has enabled Salyer to regain full health.