Auburn will be without standout linebacker Xavier Atkins against No. 1 Georgia

AUBURN, Ala. (AP) — Auburn will be without standout linebacker Xavier Atkins, the team's second-leading tackler, against top-ranked Georgia on Saturday.

Coach Alex Golesh made the announcement Monday, although he declined to revealed why Atkins won't make the trip to Athens, Georgia, for the Southeastern Conference game known as “The Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry.”

“Keep it in house in terms of anything beyond that, and really that’ll be the only piece of it that I’ll be addressing," Golesh said. "He won’t be with us this week for the game on Saturday. Won’t be available, and then we’ll revisit early next week when we meet again here.”

Atkins has been one of Auburn’s most productive defensive players this season. He has 37 tackles, including 7 1/2 for loss.

Without Atkins, sophomore Bryce Deas is expected to take on a larger role alongside Elijah Melendez. De'Marcus Riddick also could see more playing time against Georgia.

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