Georgia’s latest injury update kept the biggest questions right where they were: Nate Frazier is still questionable, and so is Vanderbilt quarterback Jared Curtis.
Thursday night’s report didn’t move Frazier’s status after he was first listed as questionable Wednesday. Curtis remained in the same spot as well after Vanderbilt put him there on its initial report Wednesday night. Curtis had once been committed to Georgia as a five-star prospect before flipping to Vanderbilt just before Signing Day last December.
Frazier’s availability has been the main focus in Athens. He did not warm up with the Bulldogs and sat out last Saturday’s 41-13 win over Oklahoma, only the second game he has missed in his career aside from 2024 Alabama.
He still dressed out for Georgia. The SEC’s injury report protocol defines “questionable” as “uncertain to play due to injury or condition.”
The running back’s status has been fluid for more than a week. He opened last week listed as questionable and never changed.
Before the Oklahoma game, Georgia called him a “game-time decision.” He also left Georgia’s 45-17 win at Arkansas after what looked like an injury.
Kirby Smart addressed the situation after that Arkansas game, along with wide receiver Isiah Canion.
“I think both of them are fine. I don't honestly know,” Smart told reporters.
“Nate had a little ding. It's bothering him.
We're going to go check on it, and Isaiah the same way. But I thought both of them probably could've played if they needed to.”
Then on Monday, Smart said Frazier was “fine.”
“I think's going to be fine. It's going to be day-to-day - expect him to be able to play,” Smart said during his only availability with reporters that week.
Georgia’s Thursday report also listed Canion and linebacker Chase Linton as questionable. Three Bulldogs were ruled out: defensive back Tyriq Green, offensive lineman Marcus Harrison and linebacker Amaris Williams.
Smart didn’t offer injury specifics earlier this week, instead pointing reporters back to the report.
“I’d refer to the injury report,” he said Monday afternoon. “That’s why we do those, right?
People in this room beg for injury reports, and now y’all have one every Wednesday. 8:10 (PM).
I’m sure y’all are on the edge of your seat waiting to get it,” he said Monday. “You’re dying to get it to write another article about it.
Y’all are awesome at following that thing. I follow y’all to get an update on the other teams.
I don’t check it myself. But it will be out Wednesday at 8:10.
Maybe a little later.”
The SEC said in 2024 that the reports were “intended to reduce pressure from outside entities seeking participation information and represents a commitment of our 16 institutions to provide enhanced transparency to support efforts to protect our student-athletes and the integrity of competition.”
After the Oklahoma win, Smart said he “don't really know” how close Frazier was to returning. ESPN reported this week that Frazier had a rib injury, though no other outlet has reported that.
When Georgia beat Oklahoma, Frazier had 202 yards on 24 carries with five touchdowns this season. With him out, Chauncey Bowens and Dwight Phillips handled most of the work against the Sooners and finished with 110 of Georgia’s 129 rushing yards. Phillips broke loose for a 54-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.
“That’s what we saw all spring and fall,” Smart said of Frazier’s run. “We just got to get more opportunities.
And some of these leads have hurt our opportunities to get him in because you want to protect him, too. You don't want him out there taking hits when you're up 30 points on somebody.
I was really proud of him today. His ball security, and his hitting the hole.”
Smart also praised Bowens after the Arkansas game, where the back scored three times.
“I love Chauncey. Chauncey is one of the hardest workers on the team,” Smart said.
“I think he’s a violent runner. He likes contact.
He seeks contact.”
Bowens has 25 carries for 93 yards and five touchdowns in 2026, while Phillips has 15 carries for 133 yards and the touchdown he scored against Oklahoma.
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