With a date with ACC Player of the Year Deshaun Watson and the high-powered Clemson offense on tap, North Carolina has suffered a significant blow to its defensive secondary.
UNC announced Thursday that Sam Smiley sustained an injury to his left Achilles tendon during the regular-season ending win over North Carolina State. The starting free safety underwent surgery Wednesday to repair the damage.
Suffice to say, the senior is out for not only this Saturday’s ACC championship game against the top-ranked Tigers, but for the No. 10 Tar Heels’ bowl game as well.
Smiley has started all 12 games this season for the Tar Heels. He’s tied for fifth on the team in tackles with 48.
Junior Dominiquie Green is listed as Smiley’s backup on the depth chart contained in this week’s note package. The good news for the Heels is that, entering this season, Green had started 22 games at safety. This season, he’s played in all 12 games and started one of those contests.