Trevor Etienne injury: Georgia RB heads to locker room vs. Florida

Late in the first half of Saturday’s game against Florida, Georgia running back Trevor Etienne headed to the locker room. It was unclear what his injury was at the time of publication.

At the time of his departure, Etienne had seven carries for 31 yards as he faced his former team for the first time. News of his departure came after Florida quarterback DJ Lagway left on a cart, meaning two of the biggest names in Saturday’s rivalry game were dealing with injuries.

Etienne has become the focal point of the Georgia running game this year after missing the season opener. He’s taken a team-high 82 carries for 422 yards and seven touchdowns to give the Bulldogs a strong option in the backfield alongside freshman Nate Frazier.

Etienne spent two years at Florida before entering the transfer portal and making his way to Georgia. He still has relationships on the Gators’ sideline – including with Shemar James, who spoke with Rowe before kickoff. That’s why Smart and the staff wanted to make sure Etienne was mentally prepared for the rivalry matchup.

“Trevor Etienne, this is weird today, honestly,” Rowe said on the broadcast. “He’s got a lot of friends on the other side. And Kirby Smart wanted him to be smart and actually have him speak with a sports psychologist this week, learn how to keep your composure, make this only about the football game, focus on what’s ahead of you and let your emotions not take you away from what you’re supposed to be doing play-to-play.

“I did talk to Shemar James on the Florida Gators side, the linebacker. He said, ‘We’re still boys. We still text. Of course we love each other. But when the ball’s kicked off, no friends out here today.”

In two career games against Georgia, Etienne ran for 95 yards and a touchdown while at Florida. But Saturday will mark his first time on the other sideline at EverBank Stadium, facing the team that signed him as a four-star recruit.

But Smart didn’t want Etienne worrying too much about playing his former team for the first time. It’s not the first time Georgia’s had a player in this spot – Dominic Lovett faced Missouri last year – and he just wanted his star running back to focus on winning the game.