Georgia will be without several players when it travels to Alabama on Saturday, including running back Chauncey Bowens and wide receiver Thomas Blackshear.
The Bulldogs listed five players as out and one as questionable on their initial SEC availability report Wednesday night ahead of the top-10 matchup in Tuscaloosa. Bowens, Blackshear, safety Tyriq Green, offensive lineman Marcus Harrison and outside linebacker Amaris Williams were listed as out, while wide receiver Isiah Canion is questionable.
The biggest news is Bowens, who was injured during Georgia’s 38-14 win over Vanderbilt last Saturday.
Bowens carried the ball 10 times for 31 yards and a touchdown while adding three receptions for 18 yards against the Commodores. He was banged up on his final touch of the first half but returned in the third quarter and finished the game.
His absence could put an even bigger workload on Nate Frazier.
Frazier is not listed on Wednesday’s availability report, meaning he is available to play against Alabama. The junior running back has been working his way back from a rib injury that limited him in recent weeks. He returned against Vanderbilt and carried the ball twice for nine yards.
Frazier’s absence from the report is a positive development for a Georgia backfield that will be without Bowens.
Georgia thin at wide receiver
The Bulldogs will also be without Blackshear after he suffered an upper-body injury against Vanderbilt.
Blackshear caught three passes for 33 yards before leaving in the second quarter after a 16-yard reception on third down. He went to the locker room and later returned to the sideline with his arm in a sling.
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart confirmed earlier in the week that Blackshear was dealing with an upper-body injury.
The Bulldogs could also remain without Canion, who is listed as questionable.
Canion has been dealing with a right leg injury and has three receptions for 28 yards in three games this season. His status will be one to watch as Georgia nears kickoff.
Green, Harrison, and Williams round out Georgia’s list of players already ruled out.
One other positive development for the Bulldogs is outside linebacker Chase Linton, who was not included on Wednesday’s report after previously dealing with a lower-leg injury.
Alabama dealing with injuries, too
Georgia isn’t the only team entering Saturday’s matchup shorthanded.
Alabama listed five players as out Wednesday: linebackers Justin Hill and Cayden Jones, outside linebacker Desmond Umeozulu, defensive lineman Jeremiah Beaman and defensive back Nick Sherman. Defensive back Jorden Edmonds and tight end Josh Ford are questionable.
Ford is perhaps the most interesting name on Alabama’s side of the report. The tight end suffered a broken arm against Mississippi State and underwent surgery Sunday. Still, Alabama head coach Kalen DeBoer said Wednesday that Ford has been progressing well and left open the possibility of him playing against Georgia.
Alabama right tackle Jayvin James, who missed last week’s win over Mississippi State with a lower-extremity injury, is not on the report and is therefore available.
The SEC requires updated availability reports Thursday and Friday, and releases a final report 90 minutes before kickoff.
No. 2 Georgia and No. 6 Alabama are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday in Tuscaloosa on ABC.
