ATLANTA — Whether Georgia football fans wanted the team in there, the No. 5 Bulldogs are set to play in their fourth straight SEC Championship.
They'll be facing off against No. 2 Texas, who the Bulldogs took down on the road earlier in the season. However, Georgia holds more of a home advantage, as the game will be played just an hour from Athens in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
While Georgia picked up a 30-15 win back in October, a win now may still not come easily. Texas went 11-1 in the regular season and is still one of the best-ranked teams in the country. As such, the Bulldogs will need every player they can to hold a 2-0 record over the Longhorns.
One key player that may be out in the upcoming game is running back Trevor Etienne. The former Florida transfer ran for 89 yards and three touchdowns and even had three catches for 23 yards. Etienne was easily the most productive offensive player against the Longhorns in that game, but due to bruised ribs, may not suit up on Saturday. If he's out, it'll be the fourth straight game he's missed.
Christen Miller, who also suited up against Texas, is another Bulldog that may not be healthy enough to play. He went down against UMASS in the second to last game of the regular season and missed the regular season finale against Georgia Tech. He had two tackles and a quarterback hit in the first game against the Longhorns, and if he can't play, the Bulldogs will likely miss his ability to generate pressure on the interrior of the defensive line.
Alongside Etienne, two other running backs are also listed as questionable. Branson Robinson, who has been out since the game against Mississippi State in early October, may be close to making his return.
He was out all offseason due to injury and has been hurt for nearly two months during the regular season after making a miraculous recovery to be ready for the first game of the season. Now, he may make a return just in time to help the team compete for their first SEC Championship since 2022.
Freshman Chauncey Bowens, who has been primarily a depth player, is also listed as questionable. Fellow freshman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye is the only player listed as "out," as he remains sidelined after having what head coach Kirby Smart described as "lower extremity surgery."
For Texas, their injury list looks similar as it has all season. Running backs CJ Baxter, Christian Clark and Velton Gardner are listed as out alongside defensive back Derek Williams Jr. The biggest name on the list is left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr., who is projected as one of, if not the best offensive lineman in the 2025 draft class.
He went down with an ankle injury against Texas A&M and may not be able to take the field. If he's out, expect backup Trevor Goosby to start, who played well against top pass rushers like Nic Scourton and Shemar Stewart.
For a full list of injuries from both teams, take a look below. As the game gets closer and closer, 13WMAZ will update this story with further injury report details.
Georgia's Availability Report
- Defensive lineman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye (Out)
- Running back Trevor Etienne (Questionable)
- Running back Branson Robinson (Questionable)
- Running back Chauncey Bowens (Questionable)
- Defensive lineman Christen Miller (Questionable)
Texas' Availability Report
- Defensive back Darek Williams Jr. (Out)
- Running back CJ Baxter (Out)
- Running back Christian Clark (Out)
- Running back Velton Gardner (Out)
- Offensive lineman Kelvin Banks Jr. (Questionable)