Starting strong safety Reshad Jones wore a green non-contact jersey Thursday, missing most of practice with a tweaked hamstring.

“It’s too bad, he’s really practicing well, he’s leading,” said Georgia coach Mark Richt. “.He quite frankly just had a lot of positive momentum coming into camp so I’m sad for him”

Jones and fellow starting safety Bryan Evans have received acclamation as leaders thus far in practice. Richt expects that to continue.

“He could still buddy up with the young kids and teach them,” he said. “One way for him is to become a teacher, become a coach, coach a young guy.”

The injury doesn’t appear serious, and Jones should be full-speed soon.

“He’ll be healthy enough when the season starts,” Richt said. “He’ll have enough time to be in great condition by the first game. He’s got enough quality reps and playing time here I don’t think its going to be a huge deal, but it’s no fun not to be out there doing it. You don’t want to be doing push-ups and sit-ups when everyone else is working on the field.”

Also Thursday, Jones was named to the watch list for the Jim Thorpe Award.

The Thorpe Award is given annually to the nation’s top defensive back. The ledger of 31 leading candidates was derived through a point system based on preseason All-American teams listed in various football publications.

Jones was a second-team All-SEC selection by the Associated Press last season after leading the Bulldogs with five interceptions. He started 12 of 13 games in 2008, posting 76 tackles, including 2.5 tackles for loss, and posted three pass break-ups.

The Thorpe watch list is not final, and players who have exceptional seasons may be added. Ten semifinalists will be named on Nov. 2, and that list will be trimmed to three finalists on Nov. 23. The winner is announced on ESPN’s College Football Awards Show telecast in December. The official presentation of the award will take place in Oklahoma City in February.

- Georgia Sports Communications contributed to this report.