Kirby Smart darnell washington tykee smith injuries

Following multiple reports that tight end Darnell Washington and defensive back Tykee Smith are both expected to miss the season-opener against Clemson, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart released a statement.

“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.”

Washington and Smith are both expected to be major contributors for the Bulldogs this season. Smith was likely to be the starting star while Washington was expected to be a major piece in the Georgia passing game.

Smith arrived from West Virginia as one of the top transfers in the country. He was a Third-Team All-American in 2020 while playing for Jahmile Addae, who is now the Georgia defensive backs coach.

With Smith’s availability uncertain, senior Latavious Brini is likely to see an increase in reps with the first-team defense. Brini started at star in the Peach Bowl win over Cincinnati, where he finished with five tackles, two of which were for a loss.

Washington had a strong finish to his freshman season. He ended the year with seven catches for 166 yards. But five of those catches went for 107 yards in Georgia’s final two games of the season. At 6-foot-7 and 280 pounds, he’s a truly unique weapon for the Georgia offense.

As far as replacing Washington, Georgia does have junior John FitzPatrick. He actually caught more passes and finished with more touchdown receptions than Washington did in 2020.

While FitzPatrick might not possess the same athletic upside, he is a strong blocker with a 6-foot-7 frame. FitzPatrick though did miss the scrimmage last week with a foot injury, though his long-term status is not in question.

“I wouldn’t say the most versatile but in terms of trust -- is probably the biggest word with him,” offensive coordinator Todd Monken said. “With Fitz, you can put him at Y, you can put him at F tight end, you can flex him out. He’s going to be diligent in the way he approaches it and you can count on him. He’s a true Bulldog.”

The Bulldogs do have some young options at both positions who could see an increase in playing time. Freshman tight end Brock Bowers has impressed early on at Georgia, while Kelee Ringo could see some extra snaps at star as Georgia tries to help him gain playing experience.

Georgia opens the 2021 season against Clemson in what should be one of the most anticipated games of the college football season. The Bulldogs ranked No. 5 in the initial AP Poll, while Clemson came in at No. 3. The game is set for Sept. 4 and starts at 7:30 p.m. ET.

Smart is next to meet with reporters on Saturday following the team’s second scrimmage. He will likely provide greater detail on the status of Washington and Smith at that point in time.

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