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A Georgia football player is being treated for “serious injuries” after an “accident” earlier this month, head coach Kirby Smart said.
Smart told ESPN that running back Dante Dowdell was in an ATV accident.
Smart said the incident happened “off campus” and the injuries were “serious enough” to require treatment at two separate hospitals.
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Running back Dante Dowdell of the Georgia Bulldogs catches a pass during the G-Day scrimmage on April 18, 2026, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Georgia. (Sportswire Icon via Getty Images)
“He’s out of the really tough range, but as far as his full health and his return, I don’t know what that’s going to look like for this year,” Smart said.
Smart said Dowdell is currently being treated at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, which specializes in spinal cord and brain injuries, as well as rehabilitation.
“He’s just a great kid. [with a] big family. We fully support them. Our players came to see him. It’s a really tough deal,” Smart added.
“We are praying for him and his family. We hope for a full recovery, but the current outlook is one we wait to see.”
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Dante Dowdell #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats confronts TJ Quinn Jr. #34 of the Louisville Cardinals in the second half at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium on November 29, 2025, in Louisville, Kentucky. (Getty Images)
ESPN said Dowdell was injured near his home in Picayune, Mississippi.
Dowdell is currently in his fourth stop in as many years of his college career, playing at Oregon in 2023 before transferring to Nebraska for next season. Dowdell spent the 2025 campaign with Kentucky.
Over the course of his career, Dowdell has 1,264 yards on 272 carries in 30 total games. He scored 12 of his 16 rushing touchdowns with the Cornhuskers, who were fifth in the Big Ten that season.
Dante Dowdell, #2 of the Kentucky Wildcats, runs in the second half against the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles at Kroger Field on November 15, 2025, in Lexington, Kentucky. (Getty Images)
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A healthy Dowdell appeared to be behind Nate Frazier Jr. and Chauncey Bowens on the depth chart.
