Mike Thornton injury: UGA NT unlikely to play Saturday

The Georgia Bulldogs will need all the help they can get on Saturday when the team takes on the Alabama Crimson Tide in the SEC championship game, but Mark Richt's defense will likely be without nose tackle Mike Thornton, via Seth Emerson of The Macon Telegraph.

Thornton is unlikely to play due to the leg injury the defensive lineman suffered last Saturday against Georgia Tech. When asked about the reserve nose tackle's status for Saturday, Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt sounded skeptical .

Fortunately for the Bulldogs, Thornton does not receive a bulk of snaps for the team, instead only receiving snaps when starters, like Kwame Geathers, need a quick breather on the sidelines.

Saturday's game is not only to crown the champion of the SEC, but the winner will likely be headed to the 2013 BCS National Championship Game. A loss, though, would not guarantee either team an at-large BCS bowl game.