Georgia dealing with several injuries ahead of Clemson showdown

CLEMSON — In less than three weeks, Clemson and Georgia will face off in Charlotte, North Carolina. Many are stoked for what could be the best college football game of the season. However, the injury bug has made its way to Athens.

On Wednesday, it was reported and confirmed that tight end Darnell Washington and defensive back Tykee Smith have suffered foot injuries during UGA’s training camp and will be held out of football activities for the next few weeks. Their status for the opener against Clemson is uncertain.

“Darnell Washington and Tykee Smith sustained foot injuries during practice this week,” said Georgia head coach Kirby Smart in a press release. “They are both undergoing treatment and have an excellent prognosis. Their status is day to day.”

However, early reports indicate that this duo could miss 3-4 weeks and that means their availability for the opener against Clemson is severely in doubt. All of a sudden, the Bulldogs have some legit concerns heading into the top-five clash on Labor Day weekend.

Georgia wideout depth is getting thin

Darnell Washington is listed as a tight end, but the former five-star recruit out of Las Vegas provides a ton of value. The 6-foot-7 sophomore started seven games as a true freshman and was trending to be one of UGA’s top targets this season. The 265-pound threat could be split out wide and cause some matchup issues for opposing defenses.

This news is on top of two other big preseason stories in Athens. During spring practice, junior wide receiver George Pickens suffered a knee injury in March and is expected to miss the majority of the 2021 season. Another former five-star recruit, Pickens led the team in receptions (36) and receiving touchdowns (6) while missing two games last fall. Pickens was going to be the No. 1 target for quarterback JT Daniels and had a chance to be an All-American performer.

To help alleviate the loss of Pickens, Georgia dipped into the transfer portal over the summer and landed LSU transfer Arik Gilbert. Another former five-star recruit, the sophomore is a hybrid tight end who was going to play some X receiver for the Bulldogs with Pickens out of the lineup. However, last week it was reported that Gilbert is currently not with the team as the high-profile transfer is dealing with some “personal issues”.

Georgia still has weapons at receiver with other top targets Kearis Jackson and Jermaine Burton returning to the lineup. However, the depth is getting thin with Gilbert, Pickens, and Washington all have game-breaking and All-American potential. This takes away an advantage for Georgia going up against a Clemson secondary with much to prove.

Secondary questions loom at Georgia

In the 2021 NFL Draft, Georgia saw their two starting cornerbacks go in the top-35 picks while safety Richard LeCounte was picked up by the Cleveland Browns in round five. This left a gaping hole for the Bulldogs to fill heading into 2021.

To help plug the gaps, the Bulldogs went into the transfer portal and landed two big fish. Former Clemson cornerback Derion Kendrick was added, and the first-team All-ACC selection should be an immediate starter. At nickel, UGA added West Virginia transfer Tykee Smith after he was named an All-American after recording 61 tackles and 8 tackles for loss last year for the Mountaineers.

Now Smith is out causing a void for when the Bulldogs need to get into nickel and dime defense.

Other than safety Lewis Cine, Georgia will have brand new starters everywhere else in the secondary. This could be a huge challenge in game one going against D.J. Uiagalelei and the Clemson passing game.