Wide receiver Kris Durham said after practice Monday he will be ready for Saturday’s game against LSU, but tight end Tripp Chandler said he’s still day-to-day.

Durham caught two straight 22-yard passes against Alabama before coming up with what he called a “Grade 2 or Grade 3 sprain” of his ankle following the second reception. He said he was almost able to play against Vanderbilt last week, but he wasn’t quite in playing condition.

“I practiced [last] Thursday and I realized that when I tried to break down and stop that I just wasn’t physically able to do it yet,” he said. “But with the extra week I’ll be ready.”

Prior to the injury, Durham was starting as the Bulldogs’ third receiver alongside freshman A.J. Green and senior Mohamed Massaquoi. Michael Moore filled the void in his place.

Durham said, at least after Monday’s special teams practice, he didn’t know what capacity he would return in.

“I’m just trying to contribute any way I can,” he said. “Mike’s done a great job, he graded out great for this past game. If I can just get in there for a couple plays that would be great.”

Chandler, who hurt his shoulder in the same game against the Crimson Tide three weeks ago, said he was “getting better,” but was still working to get ready for possible action against the LSU Tigers, who boast arguably the best defensive line in the country.

“We’re trying to get the strength back. When you tear it like I did … it’s bad for your strength,” he said. “When you go up against these [LSU] defensive ends you have to have two very strong shoulders.”

Fullback Brannan Southerland has gotten in on some plays in the tight end position since coming back from his own injury, and sophomore tight end Bruce Figgins has been playing with his own torn labrum.

Chandler praised Figgins’ selflessness Monday.

“I’ve been saying this since he fought through it the first time. He could have taken the [medical] redshirt but he didn’t look at what was best for Bruce, he looked at what was best for the team.”

Linebacker Dannell Ellerbe, who is rehabbing a knee sprain, was not available for interviews Monday. Head coach Mark Richt said Sunday that he expects him to be able to play.

“We’ve never seen him yet really move great side to side, we’re just assuming that he’s getting progressively better,” he said. I guess until we see him really move tomorrow we can’t say for certain, but everybody had been anticipating that this would be the week for him.”

- Tyler Estep