In one of the program’s biggest rivalry games each year, the Auburn Tigers will be without one of their top players when they take the field in Athens, Georgia on Saturday.
During his weekly press conference on Monday at the Woltosz Football Performance Center, Auburn Head Coach Alex Golesh announced that linebacker Xavier Atkins will not be playing against the Georgia Bulldogs this week.
A source told Auburn Undercover during the bye week that it was very unlikely that Atkins would travel with the team to Athens for the road game. However, the situation was likely to be reassessed following Saturday’s action.
Atkins did not play in the first quarter of the Tigers’ home opener against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles in early September, but came back in the game after that time.
Through five games in 2026, Atkins currently sits second on the team in total tackles at 37 behind fellow linebacker Elijah Melendez. He also has recorded three sacks and one interception on the season.
In 2025, Atkins made an impact in his first season on the Plains after transferring over from LSU. He led Auburn in total tackles and sacks as a sophomore, totaling 84 and nine respectively.
The Tigers have lost nine consecutive games to the Bulldogs in the Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry, having not won since 2017. They have also the last nine games they have played in Sanford Stadium, in which the average margin of defeat has been just more than 21 points.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Auburn Undercover is an independent Auburn sports media company covering Auburn athletics, recruiting and insider news.
