Georgia hopes to get RB Trevor Etienne back against Texas

Georgia coach Kirby Smart said Thursday that he is confident that running back Trevor Etienne, who missed the No. 5 Bulldogs’ last three games with a rib injury, can play in the SEC championship game against No. 2 Texas.

Etienne was listed as questionable in the SEC’s availability report released Wednesday evening.

There will be daily availability reports through Saturday, when the final version will be released 90 minutes before kickoff of the SEC Championship Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta (4 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN+).

Bulldogs defensive tackle Christen Miller, who did not play in last week’s 44-42 eight-overtime win over Georgia Tech because of a shoulder injury, is also listed as questionable.

“They took part in some parts of practice and did reps, and (we) hope these guys are able to do something,” Smart said. “They are currently classified as questionable.”

Etienne played a big role in Georgia’s 30-15 win at then-No. 1 Texas on Oct. 19, rushing for 87 yards with three touchdowns.

Freshman Nate Frazier has been the Bulldogs’ primary running back in Etienne’s absence. He rushed for a career-high 136 yards with three touchdowns in a 59-21 win over UMass and then scored the game-winning score in the eighth overtime against Georgia Tech.