Kirby Smart 'hopeful' for Darnell Washington, Chaz Chambliss to play for Georgia vs. TCU

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart offered an update on a pair of injured players that he hopes to have back for the national title game against TCU on Monday night. Tight end Darnell Washington and linebacker Chaz Chambliss both were dinged up in the Peach Bowl against Ohio State, but there’s been optimism they can get back for the title game.

Smart, during a press conference on Saturday, said he still isn’t sure but he’s hopeful they’ll play. And he reassured that there was no doubt Washington and Chambliss wanted to play, themselves.

“Hopefully they’ll play. That’s really hard to say. We haven’t done much since then, since we’ve been at home,” Smart said. “I’m hopeful those guys are able to play and help us. Those guys want to play. I promise you that.”

Washington was seen in a boot and on crutches during last week’s victory over Ohio State, and his return would be huge for the Bulldogs. He ranks fourth on the Georgia roster with 426 receiving yards this season and has two touchdowns to his name, as well.

Chambliss has two sacks and three tackles for loss in 2022 as a rotational pass rusher. He registered half a tackle for loss against the Buckeyes on New Years Eve prior to getting injured.

Georgia offensive coordinator Todd Monken was optimistic about Washington

As Georgia landed in Los Angeles for Monday’s College Football Playoff national championship, Darnell Washington was seen walking without a boot on his foot. He suffered an injury in last week’s Peach Bowl against Ohio State, throwing his status for the title game into question.

Kirby Smart has said he’s hopeful about Washington’s chances to play against TCU, and offensive coordinator Todd Monken provided another update during his media day press conference on Saturday. It was pretty definitive, too.

“I anticipate he’ll play,” Monken told reporters.