ATHENS — Georgia senior linebacker Monty Rice is expected to be a game-time decision after missing practicing repetitions with a lower leg injury.

Rice, a team captain from Huntsville, Ala., who leads the team with 18 tackles, has been in a protective walking boot this week after suffering the injury in practice, per a source with direct knowledge.

The No. 3-ranked Bulldogs (3-0) play at No. 2 Alabama (3-0) at 8 p.m. on Saturday (TV: CBS) in Tuscaloosa. Rice is expected to travel and be with the team.

Coach Kirby Smart would likely turn to junior Quay Walker if Rice is unable to go against the Crimson Tide.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Walker, a one-time Alabama commit from Cordele, Ga., ranks fifth on the team with 12 tackles this season.

Walker saw a great deal of work against Tennessee, with Rice sliding over into Nakobe Dean’s inside linebacker spot for parts of the second half in the 44-21 win over the Vols.

Rice was in Dean’s spot when blitzed and stripped UT quarterback Jarrett Guarantano of the football, recovering it and racing 20 yards for a touchdown and the game’s final score.

Rice was also injured the last time the Bulldogs played Alabama in the 2018 SEC Championship Game.

Coach Kirby Smart cleared quarterback JT Daniels leading up to the Auburn game, but the transfer from USC has yet to take a snap in a game.

Daniels has recently shed the protective knee brace he had been wearing in scrimmages and practices, but it’s not known if Smart considers him ready to play against the Tide.

Redshirt freshman QB D’Wan Mathis, who started the opener at Arkansas, continues to be listed as the No. 2 quarterback.

Availability Update

WR Matt Landers (hand/wrist), probable

OLB Jermaine Johnson (shoulder) probable

RB James Cook (shoulder) probable

MLB Monty Rice (lower leg) probable

OT Owen Condon, probable

WR Tommy Bush (concussion) out

OL Netori Johnson (academics) out

WR Arian Smith (knee) out

WR Dominick Blaylock (knee) out

DB Kelee Ringo (labrum) out