It seemed like things had been trending in the right direction for both tight end Darnell Washington and defensive back Tykee Smith to return to the field. The two were thought to be big pieces of the 2021 Georgia team, but both had foot surgery in August.

Neither has played in a game to date this year but there had been some optimism on Monday the two could possibly play this weekend against No. 8 Arkansas.

That was before the update Georgia coach Kirby Smart gave on Tuesday. It now seems less certain that the two will be available.

“Both up and down, and they both practiced both days,” Smart said. “Both of them are, they’ve got a ways to go, I don’t know if they’ll be able to play in the game or not but they’re working towards it, I can promise you that. It’s not just being cleared, you know it’s everything else involved in it from being behind, stamina, execution, getting them reps, it’s tough, I’ll be honest with you, but I’m still very hopeful that they both can help us.”

Related: Kirby Smart: Injured Darnell Washington, Tykee Smith ‘have a ways to go’

Smith was moving better on Monday and Smart mentioned he was on a pitch count. Washington had the better practice on Tuesday and seems like the closer of the two to returning to the field.

While the Bulldogs would love to get both back, it’s not a need for Georgia. In part because the players that have respectively stepped in for Washington and Smith have emerged not just as adequate replacements but outright stars.

Much had been expected of Smith, due to his All-American status and past experience with Georgia defensive backs coach Jahmile Addae. Even before Smith’s foot injury though, he had not beaten out senior Latavious Brini for the starting spot at the “star” position.

Brini started the Peach Bowl win over Cincinnati. He’s started the first four games of this season as well, looking more than capable in the process. He’s picked up 14 tackles while breaking up 3 passes for the Bulldogs.

“He’s a guy that goes to class, does what he’s supposed to do, has discipline, is fun to coach, appreciates hard coaching,” Smart said of Brini. “You know, he’s one of the guys that’s come up to me before and thanked me and said, ‘Coach, I really appreciate how hard you push me and how hard you coach me.’

“Not everybody feels that way and it makes me respect how far he’s come, and he’s a great young man and he’s gotten better from being here and he’s a good role model for our player.”

Even when Smith does return to full-strength, Brini is going to be difficult to unseat. Due to some of the depth concerns in the Georgia secondary, Smith will likely be able to carve out a role with the Bulldogs.

As for Washington, Brock Bowers has exceeded some incredibly high expectations. The freshman from Napa, Calif., leads Georgia in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns. He’s scored 5 times in his first four games.

The Bulldogs have also seen John FitzPatrick get healthier after dealing with a preseason foot injury, so the need for Washington to see the field is not as dire.

Some of Bowers’ excellence though can be attributed to the absence of Washington, according to Smart.

“I think he’s been given opportunity because we’ve had some wideouts down,” Smart said. “If you put a lot of those other factors back in—maybe he’s not as productive, maybe we’re not as productive—but he certainly works really hard, and those other guys you just mentioned did too. A lot of being successful as a freshman is opportunity. He’s taking advantage of this opportunity.”

Washington isn’t the only Georgia pass-catcher to miss time, as Kearis Jackson, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Arian Smith have all also dealt with injuries so far. Still, Bowers looks like he’ll be a steady presence on the Georgia offense, even once Washington and the others return.

Georgia plays plenty of multiple tight ends sets, which should allow Washington to ease his way onto the field. He’s also a better blocker than Bowers at this point, giving him a possible role.

At some point, the Bulldogs will hope to get Smith and Washington back. Depth is a key ingredient on all title teams and Smith and Washington should help there.

But the emergence of Bowers and Brini means that Smart doesn’t need to rush Washington or Smith back. Georgia can afford to be patient in their recoveries.

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