Todd Gurley Return Date Announced: Latest Details and Reaction

Todd Gurley was ruled eligible to return Nov. 15 for Georgia's game vs. Auburn. He has been listed as the Bulldogs' starting running back for the contest.

Continue for updates.

Monday, Nov. 10

Gurley Named Starter vs. Auburn

Seth Emerson of the Macon Telegraph reported on Todd Gurley's role v. Auburn:

Thursday, Oct. 30

NCAA Upholds Gurley's Suspension

The NCAA provides an update on Todd Gurley's suspension:

Bleacher Report's Barrett Sallee provides a statement from Georgia, following the decision:

Wed, Oct. 29

Georgia Bulldogs running back Todd Gurley will play again this season, but the NCAA ruled Wednesday that he will have to sit out two more games after already missing a pair of contests. 

According to Emily James of NCAA.org, Gurley will once again be eligible and free to return for the Dawgs' Nov. 15 game against No. 3 Auburn.

The junior back was initially suspended on Oct. 9 because of an investigation into whether he accepted money for autographs, per ESPN.com. The Heisman Trophy candidate missed subsequent games against Missouri and Arkansas before the University of Georgia decided to apply for reinstatement.

According to the official Twitter account for Georgia athletics, the school did precisely that on Oct. 22:

Per James, Gurley will miss matchups against Florida and Kentucky over the next two weeks as punishment:

"

Todd Gurley, University of Georgia football student-athlete, must sit a total of four games, or 30 percent of the season, for accepting more than $3,000 in cash from multiple individuals for autographed memorabilia and other items over two years. Gurley, who acknowledged violating NCAA rules, must repay a portion of the money received to a charity of his choice and complete 40 hours of community service as additional conditions for his reinstatement. Gurley will be eligible to play on Nov. 15.

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James is also reporting that the University of Georgia plans to appeal the NCAA's decision.

Mark Richt commented on the appeal and Gurley's career with the Bulldogs, via Marc Weiszer of the Athens Banner-Herald and Edward Aschoff of ESPN:

Gurley admitted he made missteps leading to his suspension in a statement released on GeorgiaDogs.com before the university applied for his reinstatement:

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I want to thank the University, coaches, teammates, and the Bulldog Nation for their patience and support. I take full responsibility for the mistakes I made, and I can't thank the University, my coaches, and teammates enough for supporting me throughout this process. I'm looking forward to getting back on the field with my teammates.

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When it was first announced that Gurley was suspended, Bleacher Report's Michael Felder weighed in on the best- and worst-case scenarios for Georgia, Gurley and his Heisman hopes:

Many believed the running back's suspension wasn't necessarily warranted.

ESPN's Mike Greenberg acknowledged that rules may have been violated but deemed potential violations insignificant:

The same goes for ESPN's Bomani Jones, who brushed off those outraged by Gurley's apparent mistake:

The Bulldogs didn't miss a step in two games without Gurley, racking up a total of 79 points and getting a pair of fine performances from backup Nick Chubb.

With that said, Gurley leads the team with 773 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground, and there is no question Georgia is better when he is in the fold.

The Dawgs figure to be favorites against both Florida and Kentucky over the next couple weeks, and they have a golden opportunity to get back in the College Football Playoff hunt. Although they did lose to South Carolina, the Bulldogs could very well run the table with Gurley's return game against Auburn looking like the only tough test remaining.

Most probably assumed Gurley's Heisman candidacy was shot once he was suspended, and while that may be the case with the superstar back set to miss four games, he remains atop the leaderboard in most statistical categories among SEC backs, according to ESPN College Football:

The NCAA apparently feels four games on the shelf is punishment enough, so it is now up to Gurley to move past the matter by excelling on the field upon his return.

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