Sam Smiley Injury: Updates on North Carolina Safety's Achilles and Recovery

On Thursday, the No. 10 North Carolina Tar Heels announced safety Sam Smiley will miss the rest of the season after suffering a torn left Achilles tendon, per ESPN.com.

Continue for updates.

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Tar Heels Face Stiff Challenge Without Smiley

Thursday, Dec. 3

This is awful timing for North Carolina as it prepares to take on the No. 1 Clemson Tigers on Saturday in the ACC Championship Game.

Smiley, who suffered the injury in last week's win against the North Carolina State Wolfpack, is tied for fifth on the team with 48 tackles and has one interception. Junior Dominquie Green will replace him in the starting lineup, per ESPN.com.

Green, who has one interception this season, and his teammates will be in for a tough game against a Clemson squad—led by quarterback Deshaun Watson—that has the second-highest-scoring offense in the ACC behind North Carolina.

Clemson sports information director Tim Bourret reminded everyone how good Watson has been this season:

Smiley's absence will hurt the Tar Heels defense, but the team relies on its offense, averaging 41.3 points per game. North Carolina will hope it can outscore Clemson by turning what should be an entertaining title game into a shootout.