Georgia running back Dante Dowdell being treated at Shepherd Center after accident

Summary by The Atlanta Editorial Desk · Based on reporting by Courtney Martinez, WSB-TV (ABC) - News · July 22, 2026 · 1 min read

Head coach Kirby Smart confirmed on Tuesday that transfer running back Donte Dowdell will be sidelined indefinitely. Smart told reporters during SEC Media Days in Tampa that Dowdell was injured in an accident near his home in Mississippi. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks ...

Why this matters in The Atlanta

The news of Donte Dowdell's accident and indefinite sidelining has significant implications for the Georgia football team's upcoming season. As the team prepares to take on new challenges, Dowdell's absence will likely be felt, particularly given his impressive 560 rushing yards and three touchdowns with the Kentucky Wildcats last season. The fact that he is being treated at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta, a facility known for its expertise in brain and spinal injuries, suggests that his injuries are serious and potentially long-term. This raises concerns about the safety of off-road vehicles like ATVs, which are popular in rural areas surrounding Atlanta. As Dowdell's recovery progresses, fans will be watching to see how his absence affects the team's dynamics and performance on the field. The community will also be hoping for a full and speedy recovery for the young athlete.

About this story

Original reporting by WSB-TV (ABC) - News. The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page.

For the complete original report, visit WSB-TV (ABC) - News. Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom.

Category: safety · Published: July 22, 2026 · Source: WSB-TV (ABC) - News · Reading time: 1 min

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This article was first published on July 22, 2026 by WSB-TV (ABC) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.

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This story was reported by Courtney Martinez at WSB-TV (ABC) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards.

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Summary created by	The Atlanta Editorial Desk — automated, rule-governed
Original reporting	Courtney Martinez, WSB-TV (ABC) - News
Original story	Read at the source
Source published	Jul 22, 2026
Indexed here	Jul 22, 2026
AI assistance	Automated summary drawn from the source’s own published text
Prepublication human review	No — editorial rules, flagged-item review, and published samples

Georgia running back Dante Dowdell being treated at Shepherd Center after accident

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