No. 12 Georgia is dealing with a wave of injuries ahead of their crucial matchup against No. 7 Tennessee, and the situation has worsened as kickoff approaches in Athens. The Bulldogs, already missing two of their top running backs for most of the season, will now be without their leading rusher, Trevor Etienne. According to the SEC availability report, Etienne is sidelined due to a bruised rib sustained in the Nov. 2 win over Florida. Backup running back Cash Jones is also listed as questionable.
Etienne has been a key contributor to Georgia’s offense, leading the team with 95 carries for 477 yards and seven touchdowns, along with 23 receptions for 140 yards. Meanwhile, Roderick Robinson II, the Bulldogs’ leading returning rusher from 2023, has yet to play this season, and Branson Robinson has missed the last three games with a knee injury. These setbacks leave Georgia’s tailback rotation thin ahead of their showdown with the Volunteers.
The big question now is who Georgia will turn to in the running back rotation against Tennessee’s tough defense. With key players sidelined, it remains to be seen how the Bulldogs will adjust their offensive strategy.
The immediate answer for Georgia at running back seems to be true freshman Nate Frazier, who is the second-leading rusher on the team. The former four-star recruit has had an impressive start to his career with 72 carries for 333 yards (4.6 yards per carry) and three touchdowns. However, given the injury situation, Frazier may have to take on a larger workload than usual, as Georgia typically likes to rotate fresh legs at the position.
After Frazier, the likely options are fellow true freshmen Dwight Phillips Jr. and Chauncey Bowens. The two former four-stars have combined for just seven carries, totaling 24 yards and one touchdown this season.
To make matters worse, Georgia’s offensive line is also dealing with injuries. Left tackle Earnest Greene and right guards Tate Ratledge and Micah Morris have all been playing through injuries in recent games. This puts added pressure on Georgia as they face Tennessee, which boasts the nation’s No. 9 rushing defense, allowing just 100 yards per game.
Tennessee, however, is also dealing with an injury of its own, as quarterback Nico Iamaleava is listed as questionable after leaving last week’s win over Mississippi State with a concussion.
Georgia has won seven consecutive matchups against the Volunteers and is a 9.5-point favorite in this year’s game, according to ESPN BET. The winner of this game is likely to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff, barring an upset in the final two regular-season games.
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