Georgia football started spring practice with four healthy scholarship defensive ends – make it three.

Junior Demarcus Dobbs suffered a fracture in the fifth metatarsal of his left foot at practice Thursday, putting him out of practice for the rest of the spring.

Dobbs started four games last year, recording 19 tackles, two sacks and two interceptions, including one for a 78-yard touchdown in the Bulldogs’ win against Central Michigan.

Head coach Mark Richt had said earlier in the spring that he saw Dobbs emerging into a leader on the team, but he’ll have to wait until at least the summer to validate Richt’s statement.

Director of Sports Medicine Ron Courson said he expects a full recovery, and that Dobbs should be able to train during the summer and be ready for fall practice in August.

The Bulldogs were already very thin at defensive end this spring, as ends Roderick Battle, Cornelius Washington and Neland Ball all out recovering from injuries. The loss of Dobbs leaves redshirt sophomore Justin Houston, redshirt freshman Jeremy Longo and Kiante Tripp (a converted offensive lineman) as Georgia’s only healthy D-ends.

Georgia’s defense recorded only 24 sacks in 2008, including just 14.5 from the line.