KJ Bolden doubtful for Georgia vs. Auburn Saturday

On Wednesday the injury report said questionable. By Thursday night it said doubtful, and the national guys had it right away.

Pete Nakos

@PeteNakos

Georgia safety KJ Bolden has been downgraded to doubtful for Saturday against Auburn. t.co/tUmfJzaWPI

Georgia doesn't usually lose this guy. Bolden is a former All-American, and he was a surprise addition to the injury report midweek. Georgia lists it as a right leg injury. He led the Bulldogs in snaps in the win over Alabama, so this came on fast. A guy who played every snap against Bama is now unlikely to make the 3:30 p.m. ET kick against Auburn.

He's been doing a lot this year, too: 22 tackles, 2 pass breakups, 2 tackles for loss and 1 interception. Those numbers don't jump off the page for a safety. Still, the people around the program call him one of the most important players on this defense. He's the one getting the back end lined up, and you don't replace that by sliding the next name over on the depth chart.

About 12 seconds after Nakos posted, Pete Thamel had it too. With both of them on it, it isn't a rumor.

Pete Thamel

@PeteThamel

Georgia defensive back KJ Bolden is doubtful.

So what does Kirby do? DawgNation thinks Georgia could move Rasean Dinkins over and play him next to Kyron Jones at safety, which would keep Khalil Barnes at the star spot. If they need more bodies, Zion Branch, Ja'Marley Riddle and Blake Stewart are behind them. It's a lot of reshuffling for a secondary that just got through Alabama.

The good news for Georgia is that this is the week they can afford it. The Dawgs are roughly 3-touchdown favorites over Auburn at home, and it would be a surprise if they needed Bolden to win this one. Doubtful still isn't out, so watch the pregame warmups. The bigger issue is the leg itself. If this drags into the next couple of weeks, Georgia has a much bigger problem than Auburn.