Kirby Smart reveals how difficult it was to see Lewis Cine go down with major injury on Sunday

It was a tough scene in London on Sunday when Minnesota Vikings safety Lewis Cine went down with a major injury and had to be carted off the field. But it especially hit Georgia coach Kirby Smart hard considering the bond the two developed during their time in Athens.

Cine played at Georgia from 2019-21 before becoming one of five players from the Bulldogs’ vaunted defense selected in the first round of the 2022 NFL Draft. He was a key part of the national championship team a year ago, leading Georgia with 73 total tackles and a team-high nine passes defended.

That’s why it was so tough for Smart to see Cine leave the game with an apparent compound fracture. He reached out to Cine, but hadn’t heard back by the time he met reporters on Monday.

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“I reached out to him yesterday. I did not hear back,” Smart said. “Obviously, I think he was going to go into surgery and was staying back behind the team. But sickening to see. It’s a guy that I felt like I was so close to. Certainly hurt me to see that and you don’t wish that upon anybody. Some of those injuries are part of the game, but just so sad. Such a great kid. He’ll bounce back from it.”

Lewis Cine to undergo surgery on compound fracture, to remain in London for now

Minnesota Vikings rookie defensive back and former Georgia star Lewis Cine left the field on Sunday with a severe injury leg in the first quarter of the Vikings’ victory against the New Orleans Saints in London. Cine left the field on a stretcher with his leg secure in an air cast, and Minnesota announced the extent of the injury.

Cine, the Vikings’ No. 32 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, suffered a compound fracture of the leg. On Monday, Minnesota released a statement on Cine revealing that the rookie would stay in London to undergo surgery.

“After suffering an injury in yesterday’s game, Lewis Cine was immediately transported to a local hospital where he underwent a successful preparatory procedure in advance of his scheduled surgery tomorrow, Tuesday, October 4,” the Vikings said in the statement.

“Following surgery, Lewis will remain in London to continue his initial recovery process before returning to Minnesota at the appropriate time. A member of the Vikings medical staff will also stay in London until Lewis returns. Head Coach Kevin O’Connell and members of the Vikings organization have been in constant communication with Lewis, who is in great spirits.”