Texas A&M to be without key offensive playmaker for bowl game

Texas A&M will learn what bowl game it will be playing in on Sunday, but it has already learned one piece of bad news.

Key WR Ainias Smith, one of the Aggies’ top playmakers, recently had surgery on a broken finger and won’t be able to play in the bowl game.

Per reporter Aaron Wilson, Smith is out for the bowl game, but will try to get healthy enough to play in the Senior Bowl ahead of the 2024 NFL Draft:

Ainias Smith won't play in @AggieFootball bowl game due to breaking his finger against LSU but hopes to play in @seniorbowl and is pumped for #NFL draft 'It’s a dream come true. I really just want to help our team go to the Super Bowl, be a leader, spread love, awareness and… https://t.co/FGqnGM2Wal

— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 2, 2023

The Aggies finished the 2023 regular season with a 7-5 overall record. They fired head coach Jimbo Fisher during the season. Now former Texas A&M DC Mike Elko is taking over as the head coach following the interim stint of Elijah Robinson.

Smith recorded 53 catches for 795 yards and 2 touchdowns for the Aggies this season. He’ll be an intriguing draft candidate, as he can catch, run and contribute in the return game. Where he ends up getting drafted will be interesting to see.