Georgia's Kirby Smart offers injury update on Carson Beck: 'We're hoping for the best'
(This story has been updated to add new information).
Georgia football coach Kirby Smart offered an update to Bulldogs quarterback Carson Beck on Friday during an appearance on ESPN's "College GameDay."
Beck, a second-year starter who suffered an injury in Georgia's SEC championship game win over Texas on Dec. 7, didn't play the second half of the game. Backup Gunner Stockton replaced the injured signal caller, entering in the second half and leading the Bulldogs to a 22-19 overtime win.
"He and his family, they've been out in Jacksonville with kind of his team and staff and really group of people and his family, trying to pursue the best options to go forward," Smart said. "We've talked to him, communicated with him, and we're hoping for the best."
Multiple reports, including ESPN's Pete Thamel, have indicated Georgia is preparing to play in the Sugar Bowl without Beck, who's exploring surgery options for his elbow on his throwing arm.
Here's everything to know about Beck's injury:
Carson Beck injury update
The Georgia starting quarterback suffered an elbow injury on the last play of the first half of the Bulldogs' win over Texas in the SEC championship game.
The Bulldogs are preparing for Stockton to start against the winner of Notre Dame-Indiana as Beck explores surgery options. Online Athens has also previously reported that Beck is expected to miss the Sugar Bowl.
Thamel also reported Beck isn't likely to play again this season.
Smart was noncommittal on Beck's status during an appearance on "College GameDay" on Friday. Georgia faces the winner of No. 7 Notre Dame and No. 10 Indiana in the Sugar Bowl quarterfinal.
Thamel also reported Beck hasn't practiced since suffering the elbow injury.
Will Carson Beck return next season?
Beck, once considered a potential first-round pick, could come back for 2025 if he wanted, as he has an extra season of eligibility due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The current redshirt senior redshirted in his second season with the Bulldogs after playing only two games.
The former four-star recruit would be a sixth-year senior in 2025, which seems unlikely given his likelihood of being selected in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, it'll be interesting to see what decision he makes on his future, especially after his elbow injury in 2024.