Both 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 injury status of players headed into Monday’s big game, there are key contributors for both sides who may be limited or out once the game kicks off at 6:30 CT from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, CA. The line opened with Georgia as 13.5-point favorites, but has moved towards the Horned Frogs, who are now a 12.5-point underdog at Draftkings. As virtually the entire roster traveled for both teams, it may be difficult to get a true direction on injury status until game time, but this is the information available to date:

TCU Horned Frogs Injury Status:

Questionable:

• RB Kendre Miller: The Frogs’ leading rusher had his TD scoring streak broken, going down with a knee injury late in the first half of the Fiesta Bowl after accumulating 57 yards (7.1 yards per carry). Emari Demercaro stepped in excellently, with 150 yards and a TD to help power TCU into the National Championship. Sonny Dykes described Miller’s status in his Tuesday press conference: “We’re hopeful we get Kendre back. As the week progresses we’ll know a little bit more every single day. Right now, I’d say he’d be questionable.” This was also a topic addressed by Dykes at the press conference upon arrival at LAX, noting that they would know more after Saturday’s practice. During Saturday’s media day, Dykes remained “optimistic that he’s going to be able to play. We’ll see how he feels today.” Miller gave himself a 50-50 shot at playing Monday, saying “I’ll most definitely suit up either way it goes and try.”

Out:

• LB Thomas Armstrong: The Junior Linebacker suffered an ACL injury in the season-opener at Colorado and has been out for the remainder of the year
• LB Marcel Brooks: The former 5-Star from Flower Mound was having a promising season before a knee injury October 15 vs. Oklahoma State, requiring surgery and ending 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.

Georgia Bulldogs Injury Status:

Questionable:

• TE Darnell Washington: The massive Tight End suffered an ankle injury vs. Ohio State and was on the sideline in a boot and with crutches. However it has since been reported that the injury would not require surgery and QB Stetson Bennett said Washington is “getting treatment, resting up, and hopefully he’ll be good to go.” UGA is loaded at the position, so while missing Washington would be a loss for the Bulldogs, Brock Bowers is the John Mackey Award winner and True Freshman Oscar Delp was the top TE recruit on 247sports for the 2022 Class. Offensive Coordinator Todd Monken said more directly during media day “I anticipate he’ll play.”
• OL Warren McClendon: The First Team All-SEC Tackle missed his first start in nearly three full seasons in the Peach Bowl with a knee injury sustained during the SEC Championship. Georgia can sustain a loss to a long-time anchor of the O-Line, with Amarius Mims stepping in, a 5-Star Tackle and #8 overall player in the 247sports Composite for the 2021 Class.
• LB Chaz Chambliss: A depth piece for the Bulldogs’ defense that has played in rotation with some Freshman LBs since Nolan Smith went out with injury, and had a sack in the SEC Title game. He hyperextended his knee in the 2nd half of the Peach Bowl while covering a punt, but is expecting 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 vs. Ohio State before leaving the game with an injury. He’s another that Kirby Smart is “hopeful” will be back for Monday vs. TCU
• LB Marvin Jones: Another 5-Star True Freshman that saw solid playing time throughout the season, playing in almost every game this season, but took an injury in the regular season finale vs. Georgia Tech. He was available for the Peach Bowl and shows on the participation report, but did not record any stats vs. Ohio State.

Probable:

• DL Jalen Carter: The consensus All-American and the widely considered best player in college football has been nursing an ankle injury, even missing two games this season, but played down the stretch, including the Peach Bowl. He’s indicated he’s back to 100% and we should expect him to play near full capacity when on the field Monday.
• LB Robert Beal: The 6th-year Senior and starting Linebacker played in every game this season, but had just 1 tackle vs. Ohio State before leaving with an injury, thought to be merely a cramping issue that would have him back on the field vs. the Horned Frogs
• WR Adonai Mitchell: The hero of the 2021 National Championship, Mitchell opened the season with a strong performance in the blowout of Oregon, but took an ankle injury that kept him from meaningful action until the Peach Bowl where he delivered another game-winning TD. Approaching full strength, expect Mitchell to be a big part of the offense, especially if McConkey remains limited
• WR Ladd McConkey: The Bulldogs’ top wideout - trailing only TE Brock Bowers for receiving yards - has been playing with a knee injury. While he did not get much action in the Peach Bowl after a nice 69-yards and a TD in the SEC Championship vs LSU, he did convert a key 2-point conversion to contribute to the Bulldog victory, after which he limped off the field

Out:

• Dan Jackson, Defensive Back: The Junior Safety started early in the year after playing 12 games in 2021, but was in more of a rotational role in 2022 before suffering a foot fracture that required season-ending surgery in Week 7.
• Nolan Smith, Linebacker: The Senior edge rusher was the #1 overall recruit in the 2019 class with 12.5 career sacks and was on his way to another big season before suffering a season ending torn pectoral muscle in Week 9.
• Uga X, Mascot: The Georgia Bulldog himself did not make the trip to Los Angeles for the National Championship, citing the distance and transit time required to be on-site to support the team.