ATHENS - Georgia’s offense is set to get a familiar spark back, and the Bulldogs may have another weapon trending in the right direction as the injury picture sharpens ahead of the showdown with Alabama.
Tailback Nate Frazier, who missed time after hurting his ribs in Georgia’s win over Arkansas on Sept. 19, is off the injury report after briefly returning to action against Vanderbilt. Frazier logged four snaps in Saturday’s win and finished with two carries for 9 yards while Chauncey Bowens was being checked after taking a hit.
Frazier has piled up 211 rushing yards and five touchdowns in three games. He was a “game-time decision” before the Vanderbilt matchup.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart said after that game, “The plan was to play (Frazier) if we needed to, and Chauncey was a little banged up,” Smart said after the win over the Commodores. “He ran some; he probably could have continued to play … we knew he would improve every time that he doesn’t have to go out there, (and) he’s getting closer to 100%.”
The Bulldogs could also be getting receiver Isiah Canion back in the mix. The Georgia Tech transfer has been sidelined with a right leg injury since the first quarter against Arkansas and is listed as “questionable” for the Tide.
Georgia will be without receiver Thomas Blackshear, who is out after suffering a shoulder injury against Vanderbilt. Blackshear was on the sideline in a sling after catching three passes for 33 yards Saturday.
Outside linebacker Chase Linton is back off the injury report after making his season debut against Vanderbilt. He played four snaps on defense in that game.
On the Alabama side, the biggest question centers on tight end Josh Ford. Coach Kalen DeBoer said on the SEC coaches teleconference Wednesday that Ford could be ready when the game kicks off at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday. Ford broke his arm in Alabama’s win over Mississippi State and had surgery on Sunday.
“He’s determined to get on the football field, (and) actually progressing along fairly well right now,” DeBoer said. “We’ll kind of see how the week continues for him.
I know where his mindset is at. We just got to make sure he meets the levels we need him to meet as far as being physically ready.
“He’s doing a great job. It’s going well. We’re optimistic.”
Ford, an Oklahoma State transfer, was listed as “questionable” on Alabama’s SEC injury report Wednesday night.
Both teams will issue updated injury reports Thursday night.
Georgia injury report
DB Tyriq Green (ankle), out
OLB Amaris Williams (knee), out
OL Marcus Harrison (undisclosed), out
WR Thomas Blackshear (shoulder), out
WR Isiah Canion (right leg), questionable
Alabama injury report
LB Justin Hill, out
LB Desmond Umeozulu, out
LB Cayden Jones, out
DB Nick Sherman, out
DL Jeremiah Beaman, out
DB Jordan Edmonds, questionable
TE Josh Ford, questionable
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