Tykee

Smith

Otton is, unfortunately, sidelined by a knee injury. The pass-catching corps gets WR Mike Evans (collarbone) and WR Jalen McMillan (neck) back tonight, though, boosting QB Baker Mayfield’s fantasy-scoring potential. Mayfield will also helpfully have LT Tristan Wirfs (oblique) protecting his blindside this evening.

Tryon-Shoyinka’s 20 quarterback pressures rank third on the team. Although he largely serves as OLB Yaya Diaby’s sidekick, Tryon-Shoyinka does so effectively, picking up five unblocked pressures and four cleanup or pursuit pressures. The Buccaneers notably placed S Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) on injured reserve this week and his primary backup, DB Tykee Smith is sidelined by a knee injury. The Buccaneers also declared DL Earnest Brown, TE Devin Culp, CB Tyrek Funderburk and QB Michael Pratt inactive. Fortunately, LT Tristan Wirfs (knee/foot) is active.

LB Lavonte David (ankle, chest) is also expected to play despite missing practice on Thursday and Friday. Winfield Jr. practiced in a limited fashion on Friday and was added to the injury report, but he’s set to play. Bowles also said that DB Tykee Smith has cleared the concussion protocol. WR Mike Evans (hamstring), DL Greg Gaines (calf), and LS Evan Deckers (hamstring) are out for Week 9.

Smith took some friendly fire while trying to tackle Justice Hill near the end of the second quarter. Christian Izien took over at nickel. The Bucs safety was having a nice rookie year and is another big loss for a defensive secondary that has been gotten used to losing big pieces this year.

Smith (5’10/202) is a true northeast boy from Philadelphia who originally attended West Virginia since he was mostly recruited by mid-tier Power Five programs in his general vicinity. However, after earning Freshman All-American honors in 2019, followed by Second Team All-American recognition as a sophomore in 2020 for the Mountaineers, Smith sought out the opportunity to challenge for a National Championship in 2021…which is exactly what he would do over the next two seasons, albeit in a reserve role until finally getting a starting opportunity in 2023. He shined in the spotlight, recording an 86th percentile cover grade while leading the vaunted Georgia defense with 70 tackles, 8.5 TFL and four interceptions en route to Second Team All-SEC honors. The fifth-year standout lit up the track with a 4.46s 40-yard dash (91st%) and 1.55s 10-yard split (86th%) and put up pretty strong vertical at 36” (81st%) and a similarly above par 7.02s 3-Cone that was a 66th% mark for a 7.43 Relative Athletic Score.

This is a tough break for Smith (5'10/198) as he finally made his Georgia debut this past week against Auburn. He tore his ACL during practice this week and will be having surgery shortly. The Bulldogs are already short in the defensive backfield and this will hurt their depth even more.

As expected, Washington along with defensive back Tykee Smith are out and expected to miss around a month with their injuries. The 6-foot-7, 265-pound tight end has a chance to return for the Bulldogs before the opener in SEC play against South Carolina.

Well, this isn’t good news for Georgia, as both players are now expected to miss the team’s season-opening showdown with Clemson. It was originally reported that neither injury was all that concerning, but the tune changed as Wednesday shifted from morning to afternoon. Washington (6'7/265) was expected to be Georgia’s starting tight end, while Smith (5'10/198) was due to figure prominently in the secondary after transferring in from West Virginia. A timeline of 3-4 weeks could see both players back on the field in time for Georgia’s SEC opener against South Carolina on September 18.

According to Seth Emerson of The Athletic, the original expectation was that Washington (6'7'265) would be “fine” after having to exit Tuesday’s practice prematurely. However things may have changed, but it may take some time before the true diagnosis is known. Georgia has Wednesday off, and HC Kirby Smart won’t meet with the media again until after Saturday’s scrimmage. So with regard to both Washington and DB Tykee Smith, who’s in a similar position, stay tuned.

Smith (5'10/198) had spent his first two seasons at West Virginia, earning Freshman All-American accolades in 2019. The former three-star recruit has registered 111 tackles, 10.5 TFL, 1.0 sack, 4 interceptions and nine PBU over his WVU career and just transferred to Georgia this April. He is expected to play some nickel corner, safety and linebacker for the Dawgs, as the former Mountaineer boasts a sparking 89.7 coverage grade according to PFF.