The Georgia Bulldogs, aiming for redemption after a disappointing performance against Ole Miss, will have to do so without their star running back, Trevor Etienne, as they prepare to take on the seventh-ranked Tennessee Volunteers. Georgia confirmed on Thursday night that Etienne will sit out due to an ongoing rib injury, a decision first reported by Pete Nakos of On3.com, adding a new layer of complexity to the Bulldogs’ offensive plans as they head into this crucial matchup.
Etienne has been Georgia’s most reliable offensive weapon this season, consistently giving them an edge with his powerful runs and game-breaking potential. However, he has struggled to stay healthy since sustaining a rib injury against Florida two weeks ago. In that game, Etienne was forced to leave during the second half, which limited his impact significantly. Last week against Ole Miss, he managed just six carries for 24 yards, his longest rush being a mere six-yard gain—a clear sign that the injury has hampered his usual effectiveness.
After the game, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart shed light on Etienne’s condition, saying that the junior running back’s rib injury had affected his practice routine and his in-game performance. “You know, he was not able to do a lot during the week,” Smart shared in a post-game interview with Jordan D. Hill of Dawgs247. “He got to run a lot, but he didn’t get to rep, take shots, and take the physical contact that you probably need on Tuesday, Wednesday.” Smart praised Etienne’s grit but admitted, “He didn’t feel like he had the same juice. He felt like he was a step slow.” Smart also noted that the injury was “hard on him,” commending Etienne’s effort but acknowledging that the ailment took a toll on the young running back.
Georgia’s Running Back Depth Tested as Tennessee Looms
With Etienne officially ruled out, Georgia is left scrambling to find answers in the backfield, especially as they seek to keep their Southeastern Conference (SEC) title hopes alive. The Bulldogs are currently sitting at 7-2 and fighting to secure one of the 12 coveted spots in the College Football Playoff, so the stakes couldn’t be higher. Unfortunately for Georgia, Etienne isn’t their only banged-up back. Cash Jones, another option in their running game, also appeared on the injury report this week after a tough outing against Ole Miss, where he registered just four carries for -3 yards while dealing with a nagging foot injury. Although he’s questionable, his status adds further uncertainty to Georgia’s running back depth.
This injury situation leaves freshman Nate Frazier as Georgia’s primary healthy option at running back. The highly-touted recruit out of Compton, California, had a promising showing last week, leading the Bulldogs with 12 carries for 47 yards and scoring Georgia’s lone touchdown in the game. Frazier has compiled 72 carries for 333 yards and three touchdowns so far this season, and at 5-foot-10 and 210 pounds, he brings a combination of power and speed that Georgia hopes can help fill the void left by Etienne’s absence. Frazier arrived in Athens as one of the top running back recruits in the country, ranked as a four-star and the fifth-best prospect from California for the 2024 class by 247Sports. Now, he faces an even bigger opportunity to prove himself as he’s likely to shoulder a much larger load against Tennessee.
Beyond Frazier, Georgia has limited options. Branson Robinson remains sidelined with a knee injury sustained in early October, leaving the Bulldogs’ backfield thin against a stout Tennessee defense. Jones, should he be cleared to play, may see limited action but is unlikely to be at full strength. This lack of depth places even more pressure on Frazier to perform, as well as on Georgia’s offensive line and passing game to step up.
Bulldogs Still Favored, But Stakes Are High
Despite the challenges in the backfield, Georgia enters Saturday’s game as a 9.5-point favorite over the Volunteers, a testament to their overall depth and resilience. Adding to the game-day excitement, Georgia will host WWE superstar and fervent Bulldogs fan Cody Rhodes as a special guest for ESPN College Gameday, bringing additional energy to what is already a highly anticipated matchup.
A loss to Tennessee, however, would deal a serious blow to Georgia’s season, effectively knocking them out of contention for the SEC Championship game and significantly diminishing their chances at a College Football Playoff berth. As the Bulldogs aim to keep their postseason hopes alive, all eyes will be on Frazier and the Georgia offense as they adjust without their top running back.
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