Georgia will likely be without a starting offensive lineman on Saturday night against Alabama. Redshirt junior Earnest Greene was listed as "doubtful" in Georgia's availability report on Wednesday night.
Greene has had his struggles at times, but he's an experienced starter for the Bulldogs, and his injury issues will continue a revolving door at right tackle for Kirby Smart's team. Greene has made 25 career starts during his time in Athens.
Greene suffered an injury in Georgia's season opener against Marshall, which caused him to miss Week 2 against Austin Peay. He returned for the game against Tennessee two weeks ago, but he was clearly less than 100% and was ultimately taken out. Without Greene, Georgia rotated between redshirt freshman Michael Uini and redshirt sophomore Bo Hughley.
Georgia struggled to protect QB Gunner Stockton against Tennessee, allowing four sacks. Alabama will be looking to pin its ears back and get pressure on the Bulldogs' QB. The Crimson Tide's pass rush came to life two weeks ago against Wisconsin, registering four sacks in its own right.
The majority of those sacks came from just a four-man pass rush. Being able to get pressure with four is going to be key for Alabama on Saturday night. Where Kane Wommack's defense has run into trouble this season, particularly on third downs, is feeling the need to send blitzes to get pressure and leave players on islands in mismatches.
Kane Wommack needs to turn Qua Russaw loose against Georgia
No more dropping Qua Russaw into coverage. That's a win for the opposing offense. Russaw is Alabama's most explosive edge rusher, and Wommack needs to line him up against the revolving door of right tackles for Georgia and have him rush in every single passing down on Saturday night.
Russaw is capable of dropping into coverage, but he's best utilized off the edge. Not many guys in the country have his combination of speed and power. It makes him a terror. Look at the bend and speed he utilized against Wisconsin to get his first sack of the season:
This burst from Qua Russaw on the speed chop was great to see. So much more explosive now that he’s healthy and playing at a lighter weight. That ability to turn the corner is 🔥 pic.twitter.com/v2WdYePDUX
— Clint Lamb (@ClintRLamb) September 16, 2025
Alabama has changed its defensive looks since the struggles against Florida State. Russaw and Yhonzae Pierre shared the field quite a bit against Wisconsin to give more traditional four-man fronts. You/ll see a lot of that against Georgia as the Crimson Tide looks to combat the power run game.
Pierre is likely to see quite a few snaps against Georgia's backup right tackles, too. His speed off the edge has been of great benefit, and he leads the team in pressures. Even when he's not getting to the QB himself, he's been able to flush them to the other side, where LT Overton and others are waiting.
Alabama's ability to get pressure on Stockton and making him uncomfortable will be one of the keys to the game.