One of the first questions Kirby Smart was asked during his Monday press conference was about Nate Frazier's health. Frazier was hurt during the second half of the Arkansas game two weeks ago, but Smart made it seem all week leading into the Oklahoma game that he'd probably be good enough to play.
Frazier however was sidelined for the entire game against Oklahoma which was a bit unexpected because of Smart's comments throughout the week. So this time when he was asked about Frazier Smart chose to say as little as he possibly could.
"I'll just defer to the injury report like everybody else does," Smart said via 247sports.com. "It's why we have one."
Kirby Smart provides a meaningless update on Nate Frazier's health
Smart may have learned his lesson after making it seem like Frazier would play against Oklahoma only for him to not see the field at all. After the Arkansas game he said Frazier probably could've come back in the game if they needed him to, then during the week he flat out said he expected Frazier to play.
That ultimately did not happen, so instead of promising anything this week Smart is telling everyone to just wait for their injury reports to come out.
The first injury report for this week's matchup against Vanderbilt will be shared Wednesday night with two more injury reports coming out on Thursday and Friday. Last week Frazier was in the questionable category on each report, so it will be interesting to see if he is treated any differently this week.
It's unlikely he will be downgraded to a lower status, so he either will be questionable again this week or not on the report at all. If he is questionable though it's clear that Smart won't give away any information until the game on Saturday begins.
Resting Nate Frazier might be the wise decision
Georgia is at their best when Nate Frazier is in the lineup. He is their starting running back for a reason and he can help take a lot of pressure off Gunner Stockton and the passing game when he is healthy and able to play. Georgia however probably doesn't need Frazier against Vanderbilt.
The Bulldogs are favored by over three touchdowns against the Commodores. Vanderbilt also hasn't looked that great in any of their four games this season, so if there was a good game to rest Frazier it would be this one. That is especially the case because immediately after Vanderbilt the Bulldogs begin a four game stretch that includes road games at Alabama and Ole Miss, a neutral site matchup against Florida and Auburn at home.
Georgia needs Frazier in those matchups, but they could probably get away with him sitting on the sideline against Vanderbilt. The Bulldogs already showed they can run the ball effectively without him against Oklahoma, so in theory they should be fine without him against a Vanderbilt defense who isn't as talented.
If Frazier isn't 100 percent the best option might be to rest him so he can be fully healthy the following week when Georgia begins the most difficult part of their schedule at Alabama.
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