Georgia’s first availability report for Saturday night’s trip to Ole Miss brought a mixed bag, with wide receiver Isiah Canion landing in the probable column and running back Chauncey Bowens among six Bulldogs listed as questionable.
Georgia also avoided any new concerns for cornerback Ellis Robinson IV and running back Dwight Phillips Jr., who were not listed after leaving last Saturday’s win over Florida. Outside linebacker Amaris Williams was the only Bulldog ruled out.
The questionable group also includes Thomas Blackshear, tight end Elyiss Williams, inside linebacker AJ Kruah, safety Tyriq Green and defensive lineman Joseph Jonah-Ajonye.
Canion’s designation is a step in the right direction after he has missed time since injuring his leg in the first quarter at Arkansas on Sept. 19. He has three catches for 28 yards this season, and he was also listed as questionable on Georgia’s initial report before the Florida game.
Blackshear and Green were both listed as out on last Wednesday’s report, so their move to questionable at least keeps the door open for a return. Neither has been cleared to play, though, based on Wednesday’s listing.
Blackshear was hurt in the first half against Vanderbilt and was later seen with his right arm in a sling. Kirby Smart called it an upper-body injury.
Green injured his ankle in the second game of the season. Williams has been working back from a knee injury suffered during spring practice.
Bowens has been out since suffering a foot injury against Vanderbilt on Oct. 3. He briefly returned in the second half of that game but has missed Georgia’s games against Alabama, Auburn and Florida since then.
Georgia got by with Nate Frazier and Phillips against Florida, and both backs delivered 67 yards in the Bulldogs’ 27-8 win. Georgia finished with 217 rushing yards, and getting Bowens back would add another option to the backfield.
Phillips left the Florida game in the fourth quarter, but Smart said Monday that he was fine and described him as more tired than hurt. Robinson exited in the third quarter, and Smart was similarly upbeat about the cornerback before Monday’s practice.
“He looks good. Hopefully, he’ll be good to go,” Smart said.
The opponent brings a very different challenge. Ole Miss is averaging 282.1 passing yards per game, second in the SEC, with Chambliss leading the offense. Robinson’s status was one of the key questions heading into a week that pits Georgia against one of the league’s most productive passing attacks.
Ole Miss’ report included nine players ruled out: running back Kewan Lacy Izaiah Hartrup, Kervin Johnson Jr. and Samari Reed; safeties Edwin Joseph, Gerald Lacy Jr. and Nascar McCoy; linebacker Ant Davis Jr.; and offensive lineman Carius Curne.
Defensive end Kam Franklin and linebacker Keaton Thomas were questionable. Cornerbacks Jalyn Crawford and Cedrick Beavers, safety MJ Preston and offensive lineman Terez Davis were probable.
Georgia enters the game at No. 2 in Tuesday’s initial College Football Playoff rankings, while Ole Miss checked in at No. 10. The Bulldogs are still looking for their first win in Oxford under Smart after losses there in 2016 and 2024.
Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) and Ole Miss (6-2, 4-2) meet Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
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