This is not the news Georgia fans want to hear. Multiple key Bulldogs have gone down with injuries just over two weeks until the Dawgs’ season-opening matchup versus No. 3 Clemson.
Here is the list of players that we know are recovering from injuries right now:
- TE Darnell Washington (foot)
- DB Tykee Smith (foot/ankle)
- C Warren Ericson (hand)
- CB Jalen Kimber (shoulder)
- WR Arik Gilbert (personal)
- TE John FitzPatrick (foot)
- OL Owen Condon (Unknown)
- WR Dominick Blaylock (ACL)
- WR George Pickens (ACL)
Sophomore phenom tight end Darnell Washington and star West Virginia transfer Tykee Smith went down with foot injuries in practice this week. DawgNation and The Athletic reported today that both underwent surgeries on Thursday and the time table for a return is really just a guess right now but will likely be at least three weeks.
Kirby released a statement on Wednesday regarding the two stars,
“Darnell Washington and Tykee Smith sustained foot injuries during practice this week,” Smart said. “They are both undergoing treatment and have an excellent prognosis. Their status is day to day.”
247Sports reported the return could be three to four weeks
UGA sources: Darnell Washington & Tykee Smith are each expected to miss 3-4 weeks minimum with foot injuries sustained in practice yesterday.
Unlikely to be available vs Clemson.
— Josh Pate (@LateKickJosh) August 18, 2021
We still don’t know when LSU transfer Arik Gilbert will be back with the team. He’s been away from the program for the last couple of weeks due to personal reasons. His addition into the lineup could be huge for the Bulldogs offense if Washington and junior John Fitzpatrick aren’t able to go.
A positive note at tight end is freshman Brock Bowers, who’s reportedly been very impressive at camp so far.
A couple of guys who are not listed here but have been working their way back from injuries suffered earlier in fall camp are slot receiver Jermaine Burton and the leading pass catcher from a year ago, Kearis Jackson. Both have been nursing lower body injuries but are around 90% back and should be able to go for Clemson.
UGA fans have every right to be nervous about the injury bug hitting so soon, but remember the talent that this Georgia offense has on the outside even with guys missing.
Freshmen Arian Smith, Adonia Micthell and Justin Robinson have all turned heads at camp. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken mentioned Mitchell and Smith in a post-practice presser last week.
“Arian Smith has a unique skill set; he can really run and is developing other aspects of his game,” Monken said. “He’s really quick and twitchy, and not really someone who is a straight-line track guy, but there are days that he flashes…but there’s also Adonai Mitchell, who we think is going to be a tremendous player here.”