Georgia coach Kirby Smart provided updates Tuesday on tight end Darnell Washington (ankle) and outside linebacker Chaz Chambliss (knee), both of whom exited the Peach Bowl win versus Ohio State with injuries. Here’s what you need to know:
- “Darnell’s getting treatment. He’s resting up and hopefully he’ll be good to go,” quarterback Stetson Bennett said.
- Kirby Smart, speaking on Tuesday, said, “We’re hopeful to get all those guys back.”
- Smart was more specific a day earlier with ESPN, saying Washington’s injury is not a sprain but a “soft tissue contusion and strain” which will not require surgery, and gives him a better chance to be able to play against TCU.
Backstory
No. 1 Georgia and No. 3 TCU are playing for the national championship on Monday. The game is being held at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, with a kickoff time of 7:30 p.m. ET.
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How important are Washington and Chambliss to the Bulldogs?
Washington has started every game for Georgia this year, and though he doesn’t have the numbers (27 catches for 426 yards and two touchdowns) as fellow tight end Brock Bowers, Washington’s blocking has made him one of the team’s most important players.
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“He’s an unbelievable talent and he’s amazing,” Bennett said. “But if he can’t go then we’re going to have other people step up. That’s just how it goes around here. We’d love to have him, he’s one of the game-changers we have, but we still want to go win a football game.”
Chambliss has stepped in as the team’s second outside linebacker after the season-ending injury to Nolan Smith. Chambliss was injured in the second half against Ohio State, and would be missed especially in run defense.
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(Photo of Darnell Washington: Todd Kirkland / Getty)
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