With a thrilling 22-19 overtime victory over the Longhorns in the SEC title game, the Bulldogs solidified their No. 2 seed in the CFB playoffs. Their well-earned first-round bye grants them ample time to rest and recover as they gear up for a postseason push. As Georgia head coach Kirby Smart put it, “It means rest for a team that Greg Sankey and his staff sent on the road all year long.”

However, amid the celebration, Georgia fans have reason to be concerned about their quarterback. Carson Beck’s availability for the upcoming Sugar Bowl is now in question due to injury concerns. Beck suffered an injury in the SEC title game that has left his status uncertain.

A CFB insider raised alarms about Beck’s injury on the Locked On SEC Podcast on December 10th, saying, “Georgia’s Carson Beck is exploring treatment options for his elbow injury he suffered Saturday according to the school. There was no timetable for his return school did not detail the nature of the injury. A lot of people are saying UCL.” As of now, Beck is reportedly seeking a second opinion after injuring his right elbow.

The Bulldogs have Gunner Stockton on standby in case Carson Beck is unable to play in the upcoming games. For those who may not know, Beck sustained his injury in the conference title game against Texas just before halftime and did not return for the rest of the contest. In his absence, Stockton briefly took the field, with his helmet knocked off during a play before handing the ball to Trevor Etienne.

Before the injury, Beck had completed 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards in the SEC Championship game. On the season, Beck has been solid, posting a 290-for-448 record with 3,485 yards and 28 touchdowns. However, his injury status remains uncertain, leaving Georgia fans and analysts wondering if he’ll be ready for the Sugar Bowl.

As of now, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart has not provided a clear update on Beck’s condition, and the lack of specifics continues to fuel speculation. The situation is certainly one to watch as Georgia prepares for the postseason.

Kirby Smart is anticipating news on Carson Beck

Carson Beck is currently undergoing evaluations. Head coach Kirby Smart provided an update on Beck’s status during a press conference, saying, “I’m still trying to get that knowledge myself. He did get to have an MRI this morning. We should get the results here in the next few hours. We just had a team meeting. He was there for the team meeting, but we don’t know much more than we knew last night as of right now, but we should be finding out something here soon.”

Smart also acknowledged the importance of preparation in Beck’s potential absence, adding, “This situation does give you time if that’s what has to happen. But experience is so valuable. We can’t simulate that. There’s nothing we can do about that right now; we are still waiting on information.”

If Beck is unable to play in the Sugar Bowl, Gunner Stockton will likely take over as the starter. Stockton, who stepped in for Beck during the SEC Championship game, completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards but threw one interception. While he has shown potential, his limited experience leaves Georgia in an uncertain position as they prepare for the postseason.

Fans will anxiously await January 1 to see if Beck suits up for the Sugar Bowl. If he cannot play, attention will shift to January 20, when Georgia faces Oregon, potentially with their star quarterback back on the field. How do you see a potential timeline panning out for Beck’s return? Tell us in the comment section below!