Georgia running back James Cook arrested in Athens

Georgia Bulldogs running back James Cook (4) is stopped by LSU Tigers linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (18) during the second half of the Georgia vs. LSU SEC Football Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.  Hyosub Shin / hyosub.shin@ajc.com

Credit: Hyosub Shin

Credit: Hyosub Shin

Georgia Bulldogs running back James Cook (4) is stopped by LSU Tigers linebacker K'Lavon Chaisson (18) during the second half of the Georgia vs. LSU SEC Football Championship game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Hyosub Shin / hyosub.shin@ajc.com

Georgia football player James Cook was arrested on a pair of misdemeanor charges early Saturday morning, according to jail records.

Cook, a sophomore running back from Miami, was pulled over by Athens-Clarke County police and charged with driving with an open container of alcohol and an invalid driver’s license. Cook was booked into Athens-Clarke County Jail at 1:45 a.m. Saturday and released on a $2,000 bond at 2:57 a.m.

It's not known yet whether Saturday's arrest will affect Cook's eligibility for the upcoming bowl game. The No. 5 Bulldogs (11-2) face No. 6 Baylor (11-2) in the Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.

Georgia coach Kirby Smart is aware of the incident but no one from UGA had a comment on Saturday.

As a backup running back this season, Cook rushed for 176 yards on 28 carries and caught 16 passes for 132 yards. Cook has four career touchdowns, including two this season.

Cook was expected to take on an increased role in the running game for the bowl game. Starter D'Andre Swift, a junior, projects as an early-round NFL draft selection and may not play in the Sugar Bowl.

The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Cook missed last year's Sugar Bowl with an injury.