Georgia coach Mark Richt early Thursday morning indicated that suspended Bulldogs tailback Todd Gurley would not play Saturday against Arkansas.
Richt on Wednesday afternoon hinted to reporters that a decision on Gurley could come Friday.
The school suspended Gurley last week as it started an investigation into signed memorabilia. He has practiced this week.
True freshman Nick Chubb filled in admirably for Gurley last week in a rout of Missouri, when he carried 38 times (fourth-most in school history) for 143 yards and a TD in the rout of the Tigers. Chubb seems likely to get the start again.
The suspension is expected to have zero impact on Gurley's draft status -- and could be viewed as a positive. One NFC South scout told NFL Media analysts that the suspension should prevent unnecessary mileage on his legs.
Saturday's game is in Little Rock, not on the Arkansas campus, and is the best chance this season for an SEC East team to beat a West Division counterpart. If Georgia loses, it's not a stretch to think the East goes 0-14 against the West this season.
Mike Huguenin can be reached at mike.huguenin@nfl.com. You also can follow him on Twitter @MikeHuguenin.