Trevor Etienne Injury Update: Running back trending in right direction per Kirby Smart
ATHENS, Ga. — Tuesday’s post-practice presser with Kirby Smart usually gives a good snapshot of Georgia’s injury report. The head coach has – or hasn’t – seen players practice twice in preparation for the Bulldogs next opponent and can share what they’ve been able to do, how they’ve looked, etc. This week, focus is on running back Trevor Etienne. UGA’s leading rusher left its game against Florida on Saturday late in the first half. He was said to be dealing with some rib pain and questionable to return. He did not.
Postgame, Smart told reporters that Etienne was fine. Monday the head coach doubled down on those comments and said it’ll be about how he can handle pain. Tuesday, the report on Etienne remained positive.
“He’s been great. He did some extra conditioning and is taking some reps. He’s been in a black shirt, but he’s toughing it out. We’ll have to figure out all the things he can and can’t do. Didn’t do much on Monday. Ran around and loosened up. Did some more things today. Took some reps.”
Etienne spent his first two seasons of college ball at Florida where he played in 24 games totaling 1,710 yards of offense and 15 touchdowns. He was named Freshman All-SEC in 2022 and led the team in rushing scores in 2023 before entering the transfer portal after the 2023 season, soon joining the Georgia football program.
Etienne came into Saturday’s game with 82 carries for 422 yards and seven touchdowns. He has also caught 20 passes for 130 yards on the year. The Louisiana native missed the season opener against Clemson after an offseason arrest for reckless driving. Etienne returned the next week and has started each of Georgia’s past seven games.
With Etienne out, freshman Nate Frazier took on the lion’s share of snaps at running back. He has he had 19 carries, 82 yards and a touchdown. The Bulldogs are also used Cash Jones, a walk-on, in obvious passing situations. He had a 22-yard touchdown grab against the Gators. Dwight Phillips also reached the end zone on the first carry of his career. The score put Georgia up 34-20 and put the game away.
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Georgia is already without a pair of backs with at least one season each under their belts. Branson Robinson (knee) and Roderick Robinson (toe) did not make the trip to Jacksonville with the team.
Georgia takes on Ole Miss this Saturday in Oxford. It’s a fourth top-20 matchup of the season for the Bulldogs with three (Alabama, Texas, Ole Miss) coming in true road atmospheres.
Last year, the Bulldogs beat the Rebels 52-17 in Athens. At the time, Ole Miss was the nation’s No. 9 team. UGA rushed for 300 yards on the ground with two touchdowns each from running backs Kendall Milton (nine carries, 127 yards) and Daijun Edwards (12 carries, 59 yards).
UGA enters this Saturday’s game as a 2.5-point favorite per VegasInsider, although ESPN Analytics like Ole Miss to emerge victorious. Kickoff time is set for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
