ATHENS- Georgia fans are reeling after it was announced Monday that Bulldog phenom and tight end Brock Bowers will undergo tightrope surgery on his ankle after suffering a high ankle sprain in Georgia’s contest against Vanderbilt. Normally, a powerhouse team like Georgia wouldn’t be concerned about losing a tight end. But, Bowers is no ordinary tight end.

Bowers has led the Bulldogs receiving core the last two years and is doing it again this year. He, in a way, has become Georgia’s offense. Through seven games, Bowers has racked up 41 receptions for 567 yards and four touchdowns. He has accounted for 24% of the Bulldogs receiving yards this season. He has five or more receptions in five of the Bulldogs seven games and three 120 plus yard performances this season. He is inarguably the best tight end in the country and probably one of the best football players in the nation.

It was announced that with this surgery, Bowers will be out for four to six weeks. That spells trouble for Georgia as they are gearing up for their toughest stretch of games this season. The Bulldogs are on a bye this week, but then will face Florida followed by number 20 ranked Missouri and number 13 ranked Ole Miss. Luckily for the Bulldogs, those are all home games.

However, if Bowers were to miss the minimum of four weeks he would be making his return against current number 17 Tennessee at Tennessee. That is a tough ask for a star tight end to come back after a serious ankle injury against a big time SEC defense.

That’s not even taking into account that Bowers and the Bulldogs will have a longer season than most with them all but certainly playing the SEC championship game and the College Football Playoffs.

Bowers will also likely need time to get back to his normal self. Ankle surgery isn’t just something that players instantly bounce back from. Even if he returns quickly, Bowers may have to work his way back to his normal production.

However, This is Kirby Smart and the back-to-back national champion Georgia Bulldogs. If anyone can make do without their best player on offense, it’s them. Georgia still has a stout defense and there are much worse receivers to lean on than Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Dominic Lovett.

This will still be a tough stretch for Georgia with out their golden boy, but it doesn’t take them out of title contention. Not by a long shot.