Report: Tre Harris out for Ole Miss vs. Georgia Tech, Quinshon Judkins doubtful

Some tough news came down the pipe for Ole Miss on Saturday morning as ESPN’s Chris Low revealed a couple of key Rebel playmakers could miss the Georgia Tech game.

According to a tweet from Low, leading receiver Tre Harris and leading rusher Quinshon Judkins are both likely to miss the contest vs. GT. Harris is definitely out while Low reports Judkins is “doubtful” to participate.

Here was the news as tweeted by Low:

“Some injury issues for (Ole Miss) on offense tonight against Georgia Tech. Sources tell ESPN that leading receiver Tre Harris is out for the game and that leading rusher Quinshon Judkins is doubtful after being limited in practice this week.”

Harris is off to a HOT start to the season, even though he’s only caught eight total passes through two games. But he’s done a war’s worth of damage with those eight grabs, taking five of them for touchdowns while totaling 188 yards — good for more than 23 yards per catch. The Louisiana Tech transfer is smashing any and all preseason expectations thru two weeks. Unfortunately, fans will have to wait until at least next weekend to see the star wideout back in action.

Meanwhile, if Judkins is unable to go as expected, his loss could arguably be even more important. While Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin has long been renown for his passing offenses, it’s been the ground game that powers the Rebels over the last year.

Judkins is to thank for that. He rushed for 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns as a true freshman last season and is a featured piece of the offense again in year two. Sure, the offensive line is still strong and the other Rebel RBs should have plenty of holes to run through. But without their bell cow in Judkins, it’s hard to trust that run attack as much.

Then, without Harris out wide, the Rebels won’t have either their top rusher or pass catcher, forcing some other names to step up. Quarterback Jaxson Dart may shoulder some added responsibility, too, as he’s the second-leading rusher on the team right now and will also have to spread the wealth more on offense without his No. 1 target.

Ulysses Bentley IV is the backup running back and is likely to get the starting nod with Judkins out. But he’s totaled just eight carries and 27 yards so far. Meanwhile, on the outside, the situation is less dire as Dart has had other dependable targets in Jordan Watkins and Dayton Wade, who both have north of 120 receiving yards through the team’s first couple of games. They should only see their roles increase this week without Harris.