There is a decent chance Arik Gilbert does not play for the Georgia football team this year.
With their Week 1 opener vs. Clemson up in Charlotte on Saturday, the Georgia football team is not expected to have talented receiver/tight end Arik Gilbert back with them, possibly at all this season.
Gilbert has not been with the team for a few weeks, as he is dealing with a personal matter. The former five-star recruit out of nearby Marietta initially committed to LSU out of high school. Gilbert did not finish the 2020 season in Baton Rouge. He initially transferred to Florida, but only stayed in Gainesville for a few weeks. He committed to his home state’s team earlier this summer.
Here is the latest update on Gilbert’s status with the team from Georgia head coach Kirby Smart.
Receiver/tight end Arik Gilbert is still not with the Georgia football team and there doesn't appear to be a timetable for him to return.
— Seth Emerson (@SethWEmerson) August 30, 2021
"No update other than he's not with us," Kirby Smart said Monday. "We're praying for him each and every day that he can come back healthy."
UGA football depth chart: What happens if Arik Gilbert does not play this year?
So yes, we are looking at the possibility of Gilbert not playing a down for the Dawgs this season. Anything he gives Georgia this season, or beyond that, would be a bonus. Fortunately, Georgia has recruited phenomenally over Smart’s tenure in Athens to offset a potential long-term loss like they could be experiencing with Gilbert. Georgia does have major depth at tight end/wide receiver.
While it remains to be seen if Darnell Washington will be healthy enough to play Saturday, his offseason injury will not keep him out that long. Georgia also has a seasoned tight end in John FitzPatrick, as well as a promising true freshman in Brock Bowers. Even if the receiving corps is in a bit of flux, Georgia has a healthy stable of running backs for JT Daniels to hand the ball off to.
Gilbert should be afforded all the time he needs to get himself right, to play football again or not.
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