Georgia QB Carson Beck questionable with elbow injury, no timeline to return

Georgia QB Carson Beck‘s availability for the College Football Playoff remains in question after he left the SEC Championship Game early with an elbow injury. There is no timetable for his return, the scgool announced Monday. 

Beck and his family are currently exploring treatment options, according to the statement.

Additionally, Georgia punter Brett Thorson will miss the remainder of the season due to a knee injury in his non-kicking leg that will require surgery, the school shared.

“Carson and Brett are both fierce competitors and extremely hard workers,” head coach Kirby Smart said in a written statement. “I’m confident they will attack their rehab with the same determination they exhibit in their daily habits. We will be here to support them every step of the way.”

Beck suffered the injury when he was hit by a Texas defender while attempting a Hail Mary pass in the final play of the first half of Saturday’s win. The hit caused Beck to fumble the ball as he was in clear agony on the turf for a few moments. He was ruled out of the following halftime.

The 2024 season has been a rocky one for Beck. He had a five-game stretch where he threw 11 picks before putting up a lousy performance in an upset loss against Ole Miss. 

It seemed Beck had turned the tables, though, in the final few weeks of the season and had regained the form that made him one of the Heisman favorites entering the year. He threw for at least 297 yards and scored at least three touchdowns in each of Georgia’s final three games, which included a win over playoff-bound Tennessee.

Beck struggled in the first half of Saturday’s game prior to the injury. He completed just 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards as Georgia only scored three points in the game’s first 30 minutes. 

Redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton played hero as Beck’s replacement, completing 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards and an interception. He led the Bulldogs to three scoring drives in the second half before overtime, where he had to leave the game for a play after taking a hard hit that caused his helmet to come off. Beck replaced Stockton for that one play, which was a 4-yard rushing touchdown by Trevor Etienne to win the game.

Georgia has some time off before it plays its first playoff game. It received the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye as it’ll face the winner of the Indiana–Notre Dame game in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.

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