Georgia football: Dawgs lose 2 starters to injury for season-opening showdown vs. Clemson

The Georgia football program will be without two key starters in their big game vs. the Clemson football team on Labor Day Weekend.

Georgia football fans are holding their breath now, as they will be without two key starters in their season opener vs. the Clemson football team on Labor Day Weekend.

The Dawgs will be without tight end Darnell Washington and defensive back Tykee Smith when they take on the Tigers in Charlotte. They sustained foot injuries that will keep them out for a minimum of three to four weeks. Washington was a former five-star recruit out of high school. Smith transferred to Georgia this past offseason after having previously been at West Virginia.

The winner of this game will be in the driver’s seat towards making the College Football Playoff.

Georgia football team to be without two key starters vs. Clemson

Given that these are two of the top five teams in the country, this is the signature game of Labor Day Weekend. If Clemson beats the Dawgs, the Tigers should cakewalk to their seventh consecutive ACC Championship, as they can afford one conference loss this season. If Georgia holds on and wins, they can afford a loss to Florida and still win the SEC to reach the playoff.

Ultimately, Georgia has enough talent to offset these two key losses. Even if the Dawgs drop their season opener to Clemson, they still have time to build up their playoff resume. If they win out, they can still punch their ticket in as SEC Champions. For now, Kirby Smart and his staff must figure out who will step up in Smith and Washington’s absences vs. Clemson to start the season.

If any Power Five program is equipped to handle losses like this, Georgia would be one of them.

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