UPDATE - Kendall Baker and Monty Rice back running in ‘wounded-warrior unit

Kirby Smart said inside linebacker Monty Rice was back running at practice on Tuesday.

“Monty was able to move around and do some things, he did a little more as practice went on,” Smart said on Tuesday night. “We hope that he’s going to be able to do more tomorrow. He ran some today, he cut some, he did some things.”

That doesn’t necessarily mean that Rice will be ready to play against Alabama.

While on the sideline for the Georgia Tech game, he had gotten rid of the walking boot and was using crutches to assist in getting around but he wasn't using them heavily.

Smart indicated that even if Rice were to play, he’ll stick to the same approach the Bulldogs have used all season at the linebacker position.

“It’ll be by-committee,” Smart said. “We’ve had to play other guys. Channing (Tindall) has played some. Quay (Walker) is beginning to step up and play.

“Natrez (Patrick) is dinged up and keeps pushing through. We’re a wounded-warrior unit when it comes to defense, especially at the linebacker position because Juwan (Taylor) and Tae (Crowder) continue to push through and Natrez is a little beat up.”

Smart said redshirt freshman linebacker Robert Beal continues to be injured. We found out today that we likely made an error there. There was a player wearing Beal's No. 33 with the outside linebackers but when he took it off today, we realized that it's not Beal. We didn't recognize the player but it definitely wasn't Beal.

DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle continues to practice and Smart indicated he could be available for the Alabama game.

Kendall Baker: He suffered a knee injury against Auburn and Smart has yet to comment on a timeline for his return.

Everyone say a prayer for Monty because we really need him healthy on the field on Saturday.

Also, they said earlier that Beal was ok but now he's not.