ATHENS — Georgia will be without running back James Cook for the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on Friday because of a death in his family.
James Cook Sr., the father of James and his brother, Dalvin Cook, died suddenly this week, reportedly due to complications from diabetes. He was 46.
Dalvin Cook plays running back for the Minnesota Vikings and will also miss his game this week.
UGA has not yet made a statement or responded to messages seeking confirmation. But coach Kirby Smart said in a television interview Wednesday he expects Cook to miss the game.
“He found out (Tuesday) morning and immediately got a flight home,” Smart told Cody Chaffins of Fox 5 Sports. “His brother was going there, too. It’s really unfortunate. James is such a charismatic, loving teammate and really close to his family. It’s really a tough situation for him to be dealing with at this time, and our thoughts and prayers are with him, and we support him 100 percent. We just want him to be with his family and deal with this.”
Cook, a 5-foot-11, 190-pound junior tailback, is one of the Bulldogs’ dynamic and versatile offensive players. He leads all of Georgia’s backs with a 6.7 yards per carry rushing average and as five touchdowns, three on the ground and two via pass receptions. Cook accounted for the Bulldogs’ longest touchdown play this season, an 82-yard reception against Alabama, and also scored on a 44-yard run.
Cook is from Miami, where he starred at Miami Central High. Since arriving at UGA as a 4-star recruiting prospect, he has scored nine touchdowns on 446 yards receiving and 775 yards rushing.
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