The Georgia Bulldogs are heading into the final stretch of their season with championship aspirations, but uncertainty clouds their backfield situation. Star running back Trevor Etienne remains sidelined with a rib injury suffered earlier this month, leaving the Dawgs’ normally potent ground game with question marks as they prepare for a pivotal SEC Championship matchup.
However, reinforcements may be on the way. During his weekly press conference, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart provided an encouraging update on the status of two other key ball carriers.
“Branson and Rod have both looked good in the last week in terms of picking up their pace, running, cutting,” Smart revealed. “We’re day by day with those guys, but there’s a possibility so we’re excited about them getting back to work.”
Next Men Up
The “Branson and Rod” that Smart referred to are sophomores Branson Robinson and Roderick Robinson II. The two young backs have missed significant time this season but appear to be nearing a return to action.
Branson Robinson, a former five-star recruit and the nation’s top-ranked running back prospect in the class of 2022, has been out for the past four games with an MCL sprain. He previously missed the entire 2023 campaign recovering from a torn ACL suffered in spring practice.
Meanwhile, Roderick Robinson opened the year as Georgia’s top returning rusher from 2023. However, he has yet to see the field this season after undergoing surgery for a turf toe injury suffered during preseason camp.
If either or both Robinsons can return to the fold, it would provide a major boost to a Georgia offense that relies heavily on a multi-pronged rushing attack. In Etienne’s absence, true freshman Nate Frazier has carried the load, including a 136-yard, three-touchdown outburst in last week’s blowout win over UMass.
Etienne’s Breakout Cut Short
Before his injury, Etienne had emerged as Georgia’s most dynamic weapon out of the backfield. The Florida transfer currently leads the team with 477 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, showcasing explosive speed and elusiveness.
Etienne exited early during the Bulldogs’ 29-17 victory over Vanderbilt on November 18th after taking a hard hit to the ribs. He sat out last week’s game against UMass and is considered week-to-week, with Smart declining to put a timetable on his return.
“We’re hopeful to get him back, but it’s one of those things you’ve got to be careful with,” said a source close to the Georgia program. “Rib injuries can linger if you try to come back too quickly.”
More Injury Updates
In addition to the running backs, Smart provided updates on several other Georgia players dealing with injuries:
- DL Christen Miller is questionable this week after dislocating his shoulder against UMass.
- WRs Dillon Bell (ankle) and Anthony Evans (hamstring) are hoping to return to practice and potentially play versus Georgia Tech.
The Bulldogs will look to wrap up their regular season on a high note when they host in-state rival Georgia Tech on Friday night. The game, which kicks off at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC/ESPN+, holds great importance for Georgia’s playoff positioning.
With a win, the reigning national champs would clinch a spot in the SEC title game against the winner of the Texas-Texas A&M regular season finale. Bulldogs fans will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on the injury report in the days ahead, hoping their team can return to full strength for the games that matter most.
