ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia leading rusher Trevor Etienne has been ruled out of Saturday’s showdown with Tennessee, another blow to a Georgia offense struggling with injuries.
Etienne, who has been limited the past two games with a rib injury, initially was listed as questionable on Wednesday’s SEC availability report. But on Thursday night, he was listed as out.
The news means the only scholarship tailbacks Georgia will have available are true freshmen: Nate Frazier is the team’s second-leading rusher with 333 yards and three touchdowns. Dwight Phillips has only one touch this season, although it was a touchdown against Florida. Chauncey Bowens has six rushes for 20 yards.
Georgia was already without Roderick Robinson, who has yet to play this season, and Branson Robinson, who has missed three games with a knee injury. Cash Jones, a walk-on who has gotten a lot of snaps, is also hurt this week and listed as questionable.
The injuries at tailback, coupled with injuries on the offensive line, have kept Georgia from having a consistent rushing attack. Georgia is 15th in the SEC in total rushing yards this year and 10th in yards per rush.
Etienne has been the bright spot, rushing for 477 yards in seven starts, with 23 catches for 140 yards. Considering the stakes of the Tennessee game, with Georgia’s hopes for the College Football Playoff perhaps on the line, it’s a big hit. Etienne hurt his ribs against Florida, then pushed through it at Ole Miss but played only six snaps.
Tennessee, meanwhile, is still listing starting quarterback Nico Iamaleava as questionable. He has been in concussion protocol this week, per multiple reports.
(Photo: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)
