Trevor Etienne injury update: Kirby Smart shares latest on RB's status after exiting vs. Florida

After exiting Georgia’s win over Florida in the first half with an apparent injury, the latest on the status of star running back Travis Etienne has emerged. According to head coach Kirby Smart, Etienne is “fine” as he deals with a rib injury.

“He likes and respects those guys. He’s got a lot of friends on those teams,” Smart said of Etienne, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “I think it really hurt him that he couldn’t continue. He’s fine, he’s dealing with a rib injury.

Etienne suffered the injury late in the first half. It was reported on the ABC broadcast that Etienne might try to play in the second half, but he did not take a carry in the second half.

“Kirby Smart told me at the half that Trevor Etienne was going to try to play in the second half,” ESPN’s Holly Rowe said in an update. “I have not seen him come in for a single rep. He’s got a rib injury and just keep in mind, he is their most explosive guy on offense whether he’s running the ball of catching it out of the backfield. Three touchdowns against Texas. They are just missing his offensive energy. Just keep in mind, he is still out with that rib injury.”

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.