Auburn suspends All-American linebacker Xavier Atkins for Georgia game

Auburn Tigers head coach Alex Golesh announced on Monday that All-American linebacker Xavier Atkins will be suspended for the team's upcoming game against Georgia Bulldogs this Saturday. Golesh did not provide further details on the suspension. Atkins, who was named to the Preseason All-SEC Team before the season, has been Auburn's standout player this year, tallying 37 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, 1 interception, and 3 quarterback hurries in five games.

He has started four of the team's games, aside from the match against Southern Miss, which he missed due to internal discipline. The linebacker was awarded Second-Team All-American and First-Team All-SEC honors last year, during his first season at Auburn after playing freshman year at LSU. Auburn, who are set to take on Georgia in Athens for the first time since 2005, will be without one of their top players for the upcoming match. The Tigers entered the game as nearly three-touchdown underdogs against the Bulldogs.