Former UGA defensive end suffers season-ending injury

The Missouri Tigers were hit with unfortunate news: Former Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Darris Smith suffered a knee injury in practice. The injury will force him to miss the 2024 season, according to Eli Hoff of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

The edge rusher appeared in 16 games as a reserve over his first two collegiate seasons with UGA before transferring to Missouri over the summer. He was in a competition for the starting job with Michigan State transfer Zion Young, but he’ll have to wait another year to start his first game in the SEC.

“We are devastated by the injury to Darris,” head coach Eli Drinkwitz said,“He was having an outstanding camp and was poised to have a great year. We will support Darris in his recovery and look forward to him returning stronger than before.”

For the Tigers, it’s more than likely Young will fill the second edge rusher spot opposite Johnny Walker Jr. and replace 2024 first-round NFL draft pick Darius Robinson Jr. on the end. Regardless, it’s a blow for Georgia and Missouri fans looking to see how Darris Smith would’ve performed in a more expansive role.