Earnest Greene, Monroe Freeling injury update: Troubling news emerges on Georgia starters vs. Auburn

It is “unlikely” that Georgia right tackle Earnest Greene will start Saturday evening against Auburn, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. Zenitz also reported that left tackle Monroe Freeling is questionable and likely a game-time decision.

Greene has been a starter the past two seasons for the Bulldogs and was named preseason third team All-SEC this year. Freeling started four of 13 games last season was also named preseason third team All-SEC.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart gave official word on the pair’s status during a pregame interview. He revealed that Greene is officially ruled out, while Freeling is considered available but will not start the game.

“Monroe is available,” Smart said. “If we need him, he could play. Earnest is not available. So we’ll be starting without them both.”

That leaves the Bulldogs down two key pieces up front heading into this pivotal SEC matchup. We’ll see how they fare with kickoff set for 7:30 p.m. ET in Auburn.

Georgia enters Saturday having won eight consecutive games against Auburn in what is deemed the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry. The Bulldogs also hold a 65-56-8 all-time advantage against the Tigers but will face a tough battle here without Greene and Freeling.

Kirby Smart revealed where Earnest Greene, Monroe Freeling are at in recovery process

Smart also addressed the status of his two offensive linemen earlier this week. He gave an idea of the work that Freeling was able to do leading up to this game.

“Monroe’s been able to do a little bit. He’s been able to run and workout and do some things. But it’s still going to be more like today and tomorrow we find more out,” Smart said Wednesday during his weekly appearance on the SEC Coaches Teleconference. “He has been moving around on it and running on it and doing some on-air things. But obviously the requirement it takes to be able to strain and play at this level, we’ve got to find out if he’s able to do that.”

Freeling left last Saturday’s 35-14 win over Kentucky after the first offensive series and wouldn’t return. Greene has missed the past two games with his back injury and has played less than a full half of football this season with the lingering issue. Smart said Greene continues to get in work off to the side but remains mostly limited in practice.

“He’s running, moving around, been able to do some pass sets, and do some indy (individual) stuff and just continues to get better,” Smart said of Greene. “He’s just continuing to get better.”

On3’s Alex Byington contributed to this report.