Dante Dowdell, a running back for the University of Georgia, is recovering after an offseason ATV accident.
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"He's injured," head coach Kirby Smart said at SEC Media Days, per ESPN.
"We don't know when his return will be. I don't know the specifics of it, to be honest with you. It was a recreational vehicle, and he had some serious injuries."
The full extent of the injuries remain unknown, but Smart told ESPN that the running back is receiving treatment at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, Georgia. This facility treats patients who have undergone severe injuries.
Smart said that he doesn't "know what it looks like" in terms of Dowdell's health and timeline.
"Shepherd Center is where people in need of personalized rehabilitation after severe neurological injury or illness find care and compassion to begin again," the center's website states.
"We specialize in the rehabilitation for patients with the most complex spinal cord and brain injuries, traumatic stroke, and other neurological conditions."
Dowdell has played for three schools in three seasons of college football. He spent his first year at the University of Oregon. He appeared in six games and rushed 17 times for 90 yards and a touchdown.
He then moved to the University of Nebraska for his Sophomore season. He significantly increased his production as he appeared in 12 games. He rushed for 614 yards and 12 touchdowns while averaging 4.3 yards per attempt.
Dowdell spent last season with Kentucky. He appeared in 12 games and rushed for 560 yards while averaging 5.0 yards per attempt. He scored three touchdowns.
He transferred to the University of Georgia for his senior season. The expectation is that he would join the lineup led by returning starter Nate Frazier, who rushed for 947 yards and six touchdowns last season. Now, the focus will shift to this offseason accident and his recovery from injuries sustained.
