Georgia football running back Branson Robinson exited Saturday’s game against Mississippi State in the second quarter with a right knee injury, raising fears that a player who missed all of last season could be sidelined for a lengthy time again.

Coach Kirby Smart said after the game he thought it may be an MCL sprain, but further testing would provide more answers.

Come Monday's press conference, Smart said Robinson won't play Saturday against Texas, but that the back is expected to play again.

“Branson has an MCL," Smart said. "I don’t know how many weeks it will be. He will not be available this week. Forecasting it out is impossible for MCLs. One of the ones that has to heal itself. We've had MCLs in the past and it's been anything from two weeks to three weeks. ....He’s going to be OK. It was not the same leg injury that he previously had.”

The No. 4 Bulldogs play at No. 1 Texas Saturday.

Georgia could get back starting center Jared Wilson from a foot injury. He was not on the Bulldogs’ final SEC availability report for Saturday’s game, but did not play. Smart was not asked and did not address Wilson on Monday.

Drew Bobo has started the past two games in place of Wilson at center.

Inside linebacker Smael Mondon seems likely to miss a third straight game. His left foot was still in a walking boot on Saturday.

In the backfield, Georgia already is missing 2023 top returning rusher Broderick Robinson with a toe injury. He has yet to play this season.

Branson Robinson has rushed for 73 yards on 25 carries, but the Bulldogs have turned to the 5-foot-10, 220-pound Robinson near the end zone. He has rushed for three touchdowns.

“I hate that for him,” starting running back Trevor Etienne said of the injury. “He was a huge part of the running back room.”

The redshirt sophomore from Canton, Miss., broke a tackle on a 5-yard touchdown run in the 41-31 win Saturday and scored on a 3-yard run to put Georgia ahead in the fourth quarter in a 13-12 win at Kentucky on Sept. 14. He also has 6 catches for 33 yards.

Robinson missed last season with a ruptured patella tendon sustained in the preseason.

Georgia ranks 92^nd nationally in rushing at 134.0 yards per game.

Etienne, a Florida transfer, has rushed for 335 yards and 4 touchdowns on 63 carries and freshman Nate Frazier has 194 yards and 1 touchdown on 37 carries. Cash Jones has 18 rushing yards on 4 carries.

Freshman Chauncey Bowens has played in two games and Dwight Phillips one.

(This story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Will UGA's Branson Robinson play vs Texas? The latest from Kirby Smart