Kirby Smart, Georgia trying to support CJ Washington through injury, emotional journey

The Georgia Bulldogs lost one of their young promising stars for the year before the season even started. Freshman linebacker CJ Washington elected to enroll early and head to campus ahead of the Bulldogs’ spring practices. Unfortunately, he would be knocked out for the remainder of the season just ahead of Georgia’s G-day scrimmage after suffering a neck injury at one of the team practices.

Since then, not much has been known about Washington’s recovery process, that is, until a recent press conference. Toward the end of Tuesday’s press conference, Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart was asked about his young linebacker. Smart explained that Washington was doing the best he can recovering from the injury and that Georgia is supporting him through this difficult emotional journey.

“Yeah, we’ve seen CJ from time to time, and it’s been really tough on him. He’s, you know, as any kid would be, he’s a freshman in college,” said Smart. “And he got football taken away from him, for right now. It’s been pretty emotional for him. It’s been a tough road, and we continue to try to help and support him as best we can.”

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The hope is that Washington will be able to resume his collegiate football career once he is fully recovered from the injury. Georgia has set no timetable for his return and has been scarce on the information that they reveal about their freshman linebacker. If Washington can return to the field of play, it would definitely be a story that all college football fans should appreciate seeing.

More on Washington

Washington, an On3 Consensus four-star ranked No. 148 overall, No. 12 among players at his position, and No. 13 in the state of Georgia, was selected to play in the 2022 Under Armour All-America Game after a senior season that saw him make 42 tackles, including seven sacks and three tackles for loss. He also rushed for 1,032 yards on 137 carries with 14 touchdowns, catching a touchdown pass as well. His Cedartown Bulldogs went 11-2 and appeared in the GHSA Class 4A semifinals.

The year before, he tallied 35 tackles, including ten tackles for loss and six sacks while forcing two fumbles and recovering one. Washington added impact on offense as well, with 698 yards on 73 carries with 15 touchdowns. He was named to the Georgia Coaches Association Class 4A North All-State Defensive Team for a second straight season after doing it as a sophomore too.