Running back Caleb King will miss at least seven days with a hamstring injury, coach Mark Richt said Thursday.

The time missed comes at a critical juncture in the running back position battle, with Saturday’s scrimmage looming to help coaches move toward a final decision.

Hamstring’s are difficult to predict, but they’re usually seven to 10 days,” Richt said. “It just depends on how bad it is.”

Richard Samuel will now assume the No. 1 duties, after having performed brilliantly in Wednesday’s scrimmage, reeling off 108 yards and two touchdowns on five carries. The sophomore back also added a 70-yard touchdown reception.

“I don’t really think anything,” Samuel said. “He’s hurt, we’re going to still compete and we’re going to continue doing what we’re doing. Just keep on moving.”

King, who was unavailable for comment, had been recognized by players and coaches as having a good offseason, and a strong preseason camp to date.

Despite the injury, the competition will drudge on.

“It’s really just an opportunity for somebody else,” quarterback Joe Cox said. “Caleb had been having a good camp. We’re definitely disappointed that he got hurt. But somebody else has to step up.”

Carlton Thomas figures to be in the fight for the starting spot, but his status as an every down back in the SEC has been questioned due to his 5-foot-8, 178 pound frame.

“I feel sorry for Caleb, man,” Thomas said. “Caleb’s been working hard all this season. I feel like the same as he’s been working this season, is how hard he’ll be working to get back. So hopefully he’ll be back for the Oklahoma State game. I believe he’s going to work hard to get back.”

Redshirt freshman tailback Dontavius Jackson missed practice with an injured knee, taking his name out of the hat for the time being.

Freshman Washaun Ealey, who suffered a hyper extended elbow last week, was in practice Thursday with a brace on, but no word on his ability to go full contact.

Richt unhappy with practice

Richt didn’t have a smile on his face when he sat down for his post-practice interview, and wasn’t full of good things to say.

While indicating Thursday was the worst practice so far in preseason camp, offensive lineman could still be seen and heard pushing a dummy sled 20 minutes after the session had officially concluded.

“I would say the overriding feeling from that practice is that the practice beat us,” Richt said. “We didn’t win the day today. We made way too many mistakes. They were hot, they were tired and I thought they gave in to that more so than any day in camp, actually. So I was disappointed in that.”

Richt said strong leadership could Georgia bounce back. One of those leaders, Cox, mapped out how to avoid anymore wasted days on the field.

“Just staying on everybody,” the fifth-year quarterback said. “A lot of times so many people are worried about what they have to do on the play that they’re not thinking about the little things like staying in there on a hard count or taking the proper steps.”

With only 22 days left until the season opener, the players said they recognized the need to get better every day, every rep.

“I think the tempo and the mentality was not the type we need to have to win games,” said Logan Gray, the current No. 2 quarterback. “We just have to make sure we have our minds right every single day we go out to practice if we want to be a championship team.”

Banks out for “three weeks”

Another setback for safety Quintin Banks was announced on Thursday, after he was seen limping away from the practice field.

The junior safety had a cartilage problem in his right knee, and in Richt’s words will have “to get it cleaned up.”

Banks is expected to miss at least three weeks, putting his status for the September 5 season-opener in serious doubt.

Knee injuries have become commonplace for Banks, who appeared in only one game in 2008 after tearing the MCL in his left knee in the preseason, and subsequently his PCL in the same joint in midseason practice.

With starter Reshad Jones still out with a tweaked hamstring, and Banks going down, sophomore Bacarri Rambo will step in and fill the void.

“Rambo’s looking good,” safety Bryan Evans said. “At times where he has better days than others. As he will mature, he’ll get more consistent. But he’s doing well.”

Other bumps and bruises

* Reshad Jones was still in a green jersey, but may be close to returning to full speed. The junior starting safety did partake in light conditioning and is close to returning.
“Reshad’s doing good. He’s like jogging around, running,” safety Bryan Evans said. “We’re just waiting for him to get back out and see what he can do. ”
* Wide receiver Marlon Brown was in green, with his hand heavily wrapped. The 6-foot-5 freshman was able to go through drills, but not yet ready to catch the football.
* Aron White, No.1 tight end on the depth chart, missed practice with; you guessed it, a sore hamstring.
* Safety Josh Murray, quarterback Aaron’s brother, sat out Thursday with a shoulder problem.