Todd Monken on Darnell Washington's status for national championship: 'I anticipate he'll play'

As Georgia landed in Los Angeles for Monday’s College Football Playoff national championship, Darnell Washington was seen walking without a boot on his foot. He suffered an injury in last week’s Peach Bowl against Ohio State, throwing his status for the title game into question.

Kirby Smart has said he’s hopeful about Washington’s chances to play against TCU, and offensive coordinator Todd Monken provided another update during his media day press conference on Saturday. It was pretty definitive, too.

“I anticipate he’ll play,” Monken told reporters.

Washington was seen in a boot and on crutches during last week’s victory over Ohio State, and his return would be huge for the Bulldogs. He ranks fourth on the Georgia roster with 426 receiving yards this season and has two touchdowns to his name, as well.

Stetson Bennett on Darnell Washington: ‘Hopefully, he’ll be good to go’

Quarterback Stetson Bennett also shared his hope that Washington will play Monday. He said he had a good week after the Peach Bowl, which could bode well for his potential return.

“Darnell’s getting treatment,” Bennett said on a teleconference Tuesday. “He’s resting up. Hopefully, he’ll be good to go. He’s an unbelievable talent and he’s amazing.”

After Saturday’s game, Smart said he thought Washington suffered a high ankle sprain, but wasn’t entirely sure. He was seen in a walking boot and on crutches, watching from the sideline as Georgia came all the way back to knock off Ohio State 42-41 and head to a second consecutive national title game.

Bennett said it’ll be next man up if Washington can’t go.

“If he can’t go, we’re just going to have other people step up,” Bennett said. “That’s the way it works here. It’s about the team. We want to have him, we would love to have him. He’s one of the game-changers we have. But if we don’t, then we still have to go win a football game.”