Georgia is expected to be without senior linebacker Nolan Smith for the remainder of the 2022 season, according to multiple reports.

Smith, a preseason All-American and one of the leaders of the Bulldogs’ top-rated defense, was injured during the first quarter of last Saturday’s 42-20 victory over Florida. He’s reportedly been diagnosed with a torn pectoral muscle and will undergo season-ending surgery.

The loss of Smith is especially untimely as Georgia (8-0, 5-0 SEC) faces fellow unbeaten Tennessee (8-0, 4-0) in Athens on Saturday in the SEC on CBS Game of the Week. The two teams are projected to check in at 1-2 in the first College Football Playoff rankings, which will be released on Tuesday evening.

Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart said following Saturday’s game that Smith’s injury was believed to be a separate shoulder. He amended that during his Monday press conference, saying that the injury was to a pectoral muscle and that Smith was “doubtful” for the Tennessee game.

“His availability has not been determined. It does not look good for availability this week. He’s got — it’s a pec muscle, so it’s one of those deals where we’ll do an MRI on,” Smart said, via 247 Sports. “We’re still getting some opinions on it, but he’s probably doubtful for this week.”

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound Smith was the No. 1 overall prospect in the 2019 recruiting class and is projected as a likely first-round pick in the 2023 NFL draft. In four seasons at Georgia, he’s totaled 110 tackles, 20 tackles for loss and 12 sacks.

With Smith out, fellow senior Robert Beal, sophomore Chaz Chambliss and junior MJ Sherman are likely to receive additional playing time. Beal has 10 tackles and 10 quarterback hurries this season.