Kirby Smart provides update on Nolan Smith, Devonte Wyatt

Georgia got a huge 41-17 win against Tennessee on Saturday, but they did not leave Knoxville unscathed. 

Linebacker Nolan Smith went to the locker room in the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game clutching his wrist, while defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt left banged up as well. 

Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart spoke about the two injuries in his postgame press conference, although he had yet to speak with sports medicine director Ron Courson at the time. 

“I haven’t even talked to Ron [Courson],” Smart said. “I know one time I went out there, and Devonte sprained his knee, he thought. One time, the other guy got hit in the ribs. I’ll check with Ron and see. Hopefully those guys are OK.”

Wyatt was down at two points during the game, and he walked off on his own power. The senior has 21 tackles and 1.5 sacks this season.

Smith’s injury seemed more serious. The former five-star recruit and No. 1 player in the class of 2019, Smith has been a huge piece of this season’s Georgia defense. The junior has 32 total tackles this season, but more importantly for the Bulldogs, he has been the leader of their front seven. He also has an interception and has forced two fumbles. 

Losing Smith to a long-term injury could be devastating for the nation’s top-ranked team. The Georgia linebacker depth is already thin with the indefinite suspension of the team’s leading sacker, Adam Anderson. Anderson has been charged with rape in Athens-Clarke County.

Georgia defense stands strong in big test

Tennessee put together a scoring drive to start the game, but they were unable to do much after that against a vaunted Georgia defense.

The Volunteers had several opportunities to score late in the game. They turned the ball over on downs twice in the second half in Georgia territory, and they were stopped on fourth down another time, and the play ended with a fumble.

The Tennessee run game, which had averaged 217 yards per game prior to Saturday was held to just 55 yards on 36 carries.

The 17 points Georgia allowed was the most they have given up this season, but it was also the best offense the Bulldogs had faced. 

Georgia finishes the season with Charleston Southern and Georgia Tech.