Joshua L. Jones / USA TODAY NETWORK

Key Georgia Starter Ruled Out of SEC Matchup Against Tennessee

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By J.C. Shelton | Last updated Nov 15, 2024 4:44 PM ET

No. 12 Georgia is suffering from the injury bug ahead of a major matchup against the No. 7 Tennessee Volunteers, and the Bulldogs have received more bad news on that front as kickoff approaches in Athens.

Kirby Smart and company have played without two of their top running backs for the vast majority of the season. The leading returning rusher in 2023, Roderick Robinson II, has yet to play a snap this season, while Branson Robinson has missed the last three games due to a knee injury.

Georgia took another hit to the tailback rotation this week, as leading rusher Trevor Etienne will miss Saturday night's game, according to the SEC availability report on Friday. Additionally, backup running back Cash Jones is listed as questionable.

Etienne, who suffered a bruised rib in the win against Florida on Nov. 2, leads the team with 95 carries for 477 yards with seven touchdowns. He has also caught 23 passes for 140 yards as a receiver.

The question that remains to be seen is who Georgia will rotate at the position against a stout Tennessee defense.

The easy answer is true freshman Nate Frazier, the second-leading rusher. The former four-star is off to an impressive start to his Georgia career with 72 carries for 333 yards (4.6 yard average) with three touchdowns.

The Bulldogs traditionally like to rotate fresh legs at the position. However, with the amount of injuries, Frazier may have to serve as a workhorse. The likely options after Frazier are pair of true freshman in Dwight Phillips Jr. and Chauncey Bowens. The former four-stars have combined for seven carries for 24 yards and a touchdown this season.

Georgia is also banged up along the offensive line as left tackle Earnest Greene and right guards Tate Ratledge and Micah Morris have played through injuries over the last two games.

The timing isn't great for the Bulldogs as they prepare to take on the Volunteers, who boast the nation's No. 9 rushing defense (100 yards per game).

Tennessee is also battling a key injury of its own, as quarterback Nico Iamaleava is listed as questionable after leaving last week's win against Mississippi State. The former five-star entered concussion protocol following the game.

Georgia has won seven straight against the Vols and is listed as a 9.5-point favorite in this year's matchup, according to ESPN BET. The winner will likely reach the College Football Playoff barring an upset in the final two games.

Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC).

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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