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Georgia, Kirby Smart Dealt Unfortunate News Before Florida Gators Game
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- Georgia, Kirby Smart Dealt Unfortunate News Before Florida Gators Game
The No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs won't have one of their best offensive weapons for Saturday's rivalry matchup against the No. 17 Florida Gators after the latest SEC availability report confirmed his absence.
The Bulldogs downgraded running back Chauncey Bowens to out on Friday's injury report after listing him as questionable earlier in the week. Bowens is working his way back from a foot injury, but he won't play Saturday.
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A junior rusher, Bowens has already missed the Bulldogs' past two games after rushing for 124 yards this season while adding 132 receiving yards and scoring seven touchdowns from scrimmage. Bowens leads all Bulldogs in rushing touchdowns with six.
Adding to the narrative of Saturday's game, Bowens scored the game-winning touchdown in last season's matchup against the Gators, a program he was once committed to as a recruit.
Bowens' return looked possible earlier this week, as he practiced and took part in drills, although he had not yet returned to full-contact work.
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With Bowens out, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart will need to lean on the rest of his running back rotation. Nate Frazier returned from his own injury against Auburn, while Dwight Phillips and Bo Walker have also contributed in the backfield.
Georgia also has other injury questions entering Saturday, including safety KJ Bolden and wide receiver Isiah Canion being listed as questionable. Outside linebacker Amaris Williams, wide receiver Thomas Blackshear and defensive back Tyriq Green are already ruled out.
Georgia Bulldogs running back Chauncey Bowens (5) runs against Western Kentucky Hilltoppers linebacker Jaylen Wester (21) during the first half at Sanford Stadium on Sept. 12, 2026.Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
The Bulldogs enter the SEC rivalry game off a bye week following their first loss of the season, a 27-24 defeat against Auburn. Georgia is 6-1 overall and 4-1 in SEC play.
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Florida arrives at 5-2 and 3-2 in SEC play after a road win over Texas before its own bye week. The Gators are ranked No. 17 in the AP Top 25.
The Bulldogs and Gators meet Saturday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with kickoff scheduled for 3:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Related: Michigan Wolverines Make Bryce Underwood Move Before Rutgers Game
Related: Lane Kiffin Calls Out SEC Over Surprising Alabama-LSU Decision
This story was originally published by Athlon on Oct 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the College Football section. Add Athlon as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
