Georgia coach Mark Richt joked Tuesday that he thought about having Joe Cox wear an eye patch to the day’s media session just to stir up some controversy.

It’s been that kind of two weeks for the Bulldogs’ quarterback.

“It’s been pretty funny, actually,” said Cox. “It’s definitely been interesting to see how crazy it can get just based off of what somebody says. But it hasn’t been something that’s been a distraction. It’s honestly just something that we’ve all laughed about.”

Prior to Oklahoma State, Cox had the flu and took a separate plane to meet up with his teammates.

Last week, there were false rumors that he wouldn’t be Georgia’s starter, which eventually uncovered the truth – he’s had nerve problems in his throwing shoulder since the spring, and doesn’t throw during Wednesday practices.

It’s still early, Richt said, but all is normal on the Cox front this week.

“Usually those stories don’t break until Thursday, so I’m sure something will happen by Thursday that we could talk about,” Richt said, smiling. “I think he’s doing good. We are very optimistic about Joe. He’s going to throw today. He’s not going to throw tomorrow, just so everybody knows.”

As far as the shoulder goes, Cox said it’s something that he first noticed in February and requires a little extra rest during the week – not something that bothers him during games.

“[Just doing normal things] is when I notice it the most, because it’s not something like when you’re in a game and you’ve got adrenaline going,” he said.

“Just stuff like sleeping on it wrong or picking up a bookbag with that arm, just little things. That’s really when I probably feel it the most. When I throw it doesn’t really hurt during my throwing motion, and it’s definitely not something I think about during the game.”

As for his newest injury, a jammed middle finger on his non-throwing hand, Cox had a pretty good explanation.

“It’s actually from chasing [South Carolina linebacker] Eric Norwood, and tackling him six yards deep in the end zone,” he said laughing. “I guess this is what I get for throwing a pick-six.”

Butler surprised about season thus far

Drew Butler thought he would be pretty good during his first season as the Bulldogs’ starting punter – but maybe not this good.

The redshirt sophomore lead the nation in punting average after Week One with an incredibly impressive 57.0 yards per kick, the highest game average in the nation since 1958.

“I imagined kicking the ball well, but I got a couple bounces to go my way on some of those. Fortunately I ended up averaging something crazy,” said Butler.

Butler’s six punts in Georgia’s season opener against Oklahoma State were highlighted by a 75-yarder.

In what is typically a low-scoring, punt-heavy affair, Butler got just one shot Saturday against South Carolina.

“I woke up [Saturday] morning and I’m possibly getting ready for like five punts in a half or something like that and it’s cranking on, late second quarter I haven’t punted yet, this is crazy,” said Butler, the son of former Georgia kicker Kevin Butler.

“You never say you want more opportunities as a punter, but when I do get my chances against Arkansas I’ll be ready.”

Georgia injury report

 Safety Quintin Banks, who suffered another knee injury and had it scoped in the preseason, has been cleared to practice and could potentially play in the Bulldogs’ game at Arkansas this weekend.

“He hasn’t done a lot of things full speed,” Richt said. “I wouldn’t say that he is 100 percent back to the best Quintin Banks can be.”

Banks saw action in one game in between knee injuries in 2008.

 Sophomore linebacker Nick Williams (hamstring) could play this week as well.

“Nick has a chance this week,” Richt said. “Nick was another one of those young guys who was getting better every day at practice, and you hate to slow down that progress.”

On the other hand, senior linebacker Darius Dewberry will likely miss his second straight game with a hamstring injury, Richt said.

 Richt didn’t go into detail, but hopes to get redshirt sophomore tailback Caleb King (hamstring) in his first game of the season Saturday in Fayetteville.

“The goal is to get him in there,” he said. “We hope to get him in there.”