Georgia's Chauncey Bowens out vs. Alabama, Nate Frazier off injury report
The SEC's Wednesday availability report has Georgia's lead short-yardage back sidelined for Saturday night's game at Alabama, while a banged-up Nate Frazier is cleared to return.
Why this is trending
People are searching Chauncey Bowens and Nate Frazier because Georgia just released its Wednesday SEC availability report ahead of Saturday night's game at No. 6 Alabama, and the Bulldogs' running back room looks different than it did a week ago. Bowens, a junior who leads Georgia with six rushing touchdowns in five games, will miss the trip to Tuscaloosa. Frazier, who missed most of the past two games with bruised ribs, was not listed on the report at all, which points to him being available.
This game has not been played yet. It kicks off Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC, with Georgia at No. 2 and Alabama at No. 6 in the rankings. Everything below is what is known from the SEC's initial availability report and Georgia's recent box scores, nothing more.
What we know about Bowens and Frazier
Bowens has been Georgia's primary short-yardage and goal-line back this season, carrying 35 times for 124 yards. He got hurt in last week's 38-14 win over Vanderbilt. The SEC report lists him out for Alabama.
Frazier, a junior from Compton, California, leads the Bulldogs in rushing with 211 yards and five touchdowns despite missing time. He sat out the 41-13 win over Oklahoma on Sept. 26 and was limited to two carries for nine yards in the second half against Vanderbilt. Him coming off the injury report is a plus for Georgia heading into a tough matchup, since Alabama's defense ranks third in the SEC against the run, giving up only 78.6 yards per game.
Who else is carrying the ball
With Bowens and Frazier banged up, Dwight Phillips Jr. has taken on more work. He led Georgia with 84 rushing yards and a touchdown against Oklahoma, then caught five passes for 75 yards and a touchdown and added 27 rushing yards against Vanderbilt. Georgia has tried to get him the ball in open space because of his speed. Phillips is the son of Dwight Phillips, the 2004 Olympic gold medalist in the long jump.
Kentucky transfer Dante Dowdell, who Georgia signed out of the portal in the offseason, has not played at all this season. He is recovering from injuries suffered in an ATV accident near his home in Picayune, Mississippi. The details of that accident are not known. Georgia coach Kirby Smart told ESPN in July that Dowdell was being treated at Atlanta's Shepherd Center, which specializes in treatment and rehabilitation including spinal cord and brain injuries.
What happens next
Georgia plays at Alabama Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC. Based on Wednesday's report, the Bulldogs will be without Bowens but should have Frazier back in the backfield against a stout Alabama run defense. No further updates were included in this report beyond the status of Bowens and Frazier.
Facts per ESPN. Opinion is the taproom's.