It looks like Georgia will have to go through the College Football Playoff without starting quarterback Carson Beck.
Due to a UCL injury in his throwing elbow, the Bulldogs starting quarterback is expected to miss next month’s game against the winner of the first-round matchup between No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 10 Indiana, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.
Beck has reportedly not been with the Georgia team since it returned to practice and workouts last week. In his absence, Gunner Stockton is expected to get his first career start Jan. 1 at the Sugar Bowl.
Per ESPN, Georgia is preparing for life without Beck for the entirety of the playoff and a return this season is “unlikely.” If Georgia wins the Sugar Bowl, it would play eight days later in the Orange Bowl. The national championship game is Jan. 20.
The injury occurred on the final play of the first half in Georgia’s win over Texas in the SEC championship. Beck’s arm was hit hard by a Longhorns defender as he reared back to throw, knocking the ball loose and leaving the passer writhing on the ground.
Stockton took over in the second half and helped rejuvenate a Georgia offense that scored only three points in the entire first half, before having to leave the game himself following a hard hit.
The Georgia coaches opted to bring a clearly limited Beck back in to hand the ball off to Trevor Etienne for a game-winning touchdown in overtime. It is now within the realm of possibility that will be the final play of his college career.
Should Beck be done for the season, his 2024 will be mostly remembered as a disappointing follow-up to his standout 2023. For the most part, his numbers took a step back across the board while Georgia didn’t look like the dominant force of the last three years.
It’s also unclear if this injury will affect Beck in the pre-draft process. Beck isn’t seen as one of the top quarterback prospects for the 2025 NFL Draft, but could theoretically rise in a class that is mostly seen as weak. Being able to throw would be helpful for that.
