Sources: Bama TE Ford expected to play after surgery for broken arm

Alabama starting tight end Josh Ford, who suffered a broken arm and had surgery over the past week, is expected to play against No. 2 Georgia on Saturday, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel.

Ford, who suffered the injury during last Saturday's victory against Mississippi State, has been key to creating balance for the Crimson Tide offense this season. He has been listed as a game-time decision heading into Saturday's showdown in Tuscaloosa (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC).

Ford, a transfer from Oklahoma State, only has one catch this season -- a a one-handed touchdown grab vs. South Carolina -- but his physical presence as a blocker has been a catalyst for the run game, as No. 6 Alabama, which averaged 101.4 yards rushing per game rushing last season, is up to 186.4 rushing yards per game through five games this season.

For Georgia, running back Nate Frazier returns after missing two games with bruised ribs, which comes at a good time after Chauncey Bowens, who leads the Bulldogs with six rushing touchdowns, was ruled out earlier this week.

Frazier, a junior from Compton, California, leads the Bulldogs with 211 rushing yards. He has rushed for five scores.

Junior Dwight Phillips Jr. had taken on a larger role in Frazier's absence. Phillips was Georgia's top rusher with 84 yards to go with one touchdown versus Oklahoma, and he caught five passes for 75 yards with one touchdown and ran for 27 yards against Vanderbilt.

ESPN's Alex Scarborough and Mark Schlabach contributed to this report.