Georgia football open practice George Pickens getting reps

ATHENS — Georgia receiver George Pickens was running routes in a black (non-contact) jersey with a light knee brace in observed practice.

Pickens’ routes on air was the highlight of the first practice viewing Coach Kirby Smart has allowed for since the end of the 2019 season.

A Pickens’ family member posted on social media two weeks ago that Pickens’ “return is on the way.”

Smart said earlier on Monday that Tykee Smith and tight end Darnell Washington had targeted the game with Vanderbilt on Saturday for their return.

Smith, who plays the “Star” position in the secondary, has been out since undergoing foot surgery in August. He was a preseason All-American by some publications and was expected to lock down a starting job in fall camp.

Washington, who underwent surgery the same day as Smith, was not observed at practice. Smart had said Washington might also return for the noon kick against the Commodores.

Pickens appeared to be near full-speed running routes during the warm-up drills, but his cuts did not appear as sharp as they could be.

The 6-foot-4, 200-pound junior wideout suffered a torn ACL in March, and there has been some optimism he could return in November. He was spotted running off the field on Saturday night after the 40-13 win against South Carolina this past weekend.

The Georgia coach has told reporters this fall that Pickens has been doing some straight-line running, but he was running a post route during warmups on Monday afternoon.

Editors note: An earlier version of the story identified a player wearing the No. 23 jersey as Smith -- who wears that same number. Smith, however, was not positively identified.