Georgia and TCU emerged from semifinal victories with a few new bumps and bruises, and new names on the injury report ahead of Monday’s national championship. While both coaches have maintained a positive outlook on the players’ injury status ahead of Monday’s big game, there are key contributors for both teams who may be limited or absent once the game kicks off at 6:30 a.m. CT. SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CALIFORNIA. The line opened with Georgia as 13.5-point favorites, but moved down Horned Frogs, who are now a 12.5 point underdog at Draftkings. As nearly the entire roster has traveled for both teams, it can be difficult to get any real direction on injury status up to match time, but here is the information available so far:
Questionable:
- RB Kendre Miller: The Frogs’ top rusher had his TD scoring streak shattered, injuring his knee late in the first half of the Fiesta Bowl after racking up for 57 yards (7.1 yards per carry). Emari Demercaro stepped in excellently, with 150 yards and a TD to help TCU enter the national championship. Sonny Dykes described Miller’s status at his Tuesday press conference: “We hope to get Kendre back. As the week progresses, we will know a little more each day. Right now I would say it would be debatable. It was also a topic Dykes touched on during the press conference upon his arrival at LAX, noting that they would know more after practice on Saturday. During Saturday’s media day, Dykes remained “optimistic he’s going to be able to play.” We’ll see how he feels today. Miller gave himself a 50-50 turned to play Monday, saying “I will most definitely dress up anyway and try.”
Outside:
- LB Thomas Armstrong: The junior linebacker suffered an ACL injury in the season opener at Colorado and was out for the rest of the year
- LB Marcel Brooks: The former Flower Mound 5-star had a promising season before a knee injury Oct. 15 against Oklahoma State required surgery and ended his season.
- WR Quincy Brown: The Sophomore suffered a season-ending ankle injury on his 2nd TD reception of the game against Tarleton State in Week 2.
Questionable:
- TE Darnell Washington: The huge Tight End suffered an ankle injury against Ohio State and was sidelined in a boot and on crutches. However, it has since been reported that the injury will not require surgery and QB Stetson Bennett said Washington is “getting treatment, resting and hoping he’s ready to go”. UGA is loaded at that position, so while missing out on Washington would be a loss for the Bulldogs, Brock Bowers is the John Mackey Award winner and True Freshman Oscar Delp was TE’s top rookie on 247sports for the Class of 2022. Offensive coordinator Todd Monken said more directly during media day “I anticipate he will play.”
- OL Warren McClendon: The first-team All-SEC Tackle missed its first start in nearly three full seasons in the Peach Bowl with a knee injury sustained during the SEC Championship. Georgia can suffer a loss to a longtime O-Line anchor, with Amarius Mims stepping in, a 5-star tackle and No. 8 overall in the Composite 247sports for the class of 2021.
- LB Chaz Chambliss: A depth piece for the Bulldogs defense who has played in rotation with some Freshman LB since Nolan Smith came out injured and was sacked in the SEC title game. He hypertensed his knee in the 2nd half of the Peach Bowl while covering a punt, but expects to be available for Monday.
- DL Mykel Williams: The 5-star True Freshman had a career day in the Peach Bowl, with 5 tackles and a sack against Ohio State before leaving the game with an injury. He’s another one Kirby Smart “hopes” will be back against TCU on Monday
- LB Marvin Jones: Another 5-star True Freshman who had solid playing time throughout the season, playing in almost every game this season, but suffered an injury in the regular season finale vs. Georgia Technology. He was available for the Peach Bowl and broadcasts on the attendance report, but did not record any stats against Ohio State.
Likely:
- DL Jalen Carter: The consensus All-American and widely regarded best player in college football has been nursing an ankle injury, even missing two games this season, but has minimized the stretch, including the fishing bowl. He has indicated that he is back at 100% and we should expect him to be playing near full capacity when he takes to the pitch on Monday.
- LB Robert Beal: The 6th-year senior and starting linebacker has played in every game this season, but has only one tackle against. ohio state before leaving with an injury, believed to be just a cramp issue that would bring him back to the field against the Horned Frogs
- WR Adonai Mitchell: 2021 national championship hero Mitchell opened the season with a strong performance in the Oregon blast but suffered an ankle injury that kept him out of meaningful action until the Peach Bowl where he delivered another winning TD. Approaching full strength, expect Mitchell to play an important role in offense, especially if McConkey remains limited
- WR Ladd McConkey: The Bulldogs’ best wide player — trailing only TE Brock Bowers in receiving yards — played with a knee injury. Although he didn’t get much action in the Peach Bowl after a fine 69 yards and TD in the SEC Championship against USLhe converted a key 2 point conversion to help the Bulldog win, after which he limped off the field
Outside:
- Dan Jackson, defensive back: The junior safety started at the start of the year having played 12 games in 2021 but was playing more of a rotational role in 2022 before suffering a broken foot that required season-ending surgery during the week 7.
- Nolan Smith, linebacker: The senior rusher was the No. 1 overall rookie in the 2019 class with 12.5 career sacks and was on his way to another great season before suffering a season-ending pectoral muscle tear during the week 9.