ATLANTA — Georgia tight end Darnell Washington is in doubt about participating in the CFP championship game after suffering a lower body injury, according to an ESPN report.
ESPN field reporter Marty Smith, covering the field-level game, spoke to Coach Kirby Smart Monday night and shared details.
“Kirby Smart told me TE Darnell Washington’s leg injury is not an ankle sprain,” Smith said on his Twitter account.
The Bulldogs’ two-tight end sets with Washington and All-American Brock Bowers create big problems for most defensive fronts, but it could be particularly annoying for the somewhat unique 3-3-5 TCU plays.
Jeremy Pruitt, former SEC head coach and UGA and Alabama defense coordinator, compared the Horned Frogs’ alignment and style of play to Mississippi State’s defense.
Pruitt said that kind of 3-3-5 allows for big moves and potential confusion for the offensive lines.
However, a double-tight end formation creates an additional gap in the offensive line, challenging the 3-3-5 to potentially move out of its base staff.
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Smart is expected to provide an update on Washington on a conference call on Tuesday, although he’s unlikely to be very transparent as he doesn’t want to provide strategic insights to TCU.