Georgia safety Richard LeCounte was involved in a traffic accident in Athens, Georgia, after the team returned from Lexington, Kentucky, on Saturday evening.
LeCounte was riding a dirt bike when it struck a vehicle that was attempting to make a left turn, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department said in a statement Sunday. After hitting the vehicle, LeCounte’s dirt bike went into oncoming traffic and struck another car, according to the statement.
“He’s lucky to be alive,” his mother, Erika Blocker-LeCounte, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “He was wearing his helmet and (that) saved his life.”
LeCounte suffered undisclosed injuries and was transported to a hospital. He was still being treated Sunday, according to Ron Courson, the school’s director of sports medicine.
“His injuries are not life-threatening and a full recovery is expected,” Courson said in a statement.
Sources told ESPN’s Mark Schlabach that LeCounte is expected to miss at least a few weeks after suffering a shoulder injury and several cuts and bruises. His injuries will not require surgery.
LeCounte, a preseason All-America selection and team captain, had 13 tackles and three pass breakups in Georgia’s 14-3 victory earlier Saturday against Kentucky. He leads the team with three interceptions this season.
If LeCounte is out for an extended period, the Bulldogs will likely go with junior Christopher Smith at the safety spot.
The fifth-ranked Bulldogs (4-1) might also be without safety Lewis Cine in next week’s game against No. 10 Florida (3-1) in Jacksonville, Florida. Cine suffered an ankle injury against the Wildcats on Saturday. Defensive linemen Jordan Davis and Julian Rochester were also hurt at Kentucky.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
