ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia quarterback Carson Beck has a bruised UCL but not a tear, according to sources, and he and his family are exploring their options on the next steps.
Beck’s availability for the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1 is uncertain. The option exists to shut down for the rest of the season, get surgery and try to be ready to throw for NFL teams before the draft. There’s an option to rest his elbow for a few weeks, see how much it heals and try to be available for the Sugar Bowl or later Georgia games if it advances in the College Football Playoff.
Beck injured his elbow on the final play of the first half in the SEC Championship Game. He initially was ruled out for the rest of the game but returned to hand off for the final play, a Trevor Etienne 4-yard run in overtime to win the game. Gunner Stockton, who had to leave the game by rule because his helmet was knocked off, would have returned if there was another play.
Also, Georgia punter Brett Thorson is out for the season after suffering an injury to his non-kicking leg in the SEC championship.
On Sunday morning, Beck got an MRI, and the results showed a bruise but no tear. Otherwise, the decision would have been made right away to rule him out for the season. When Kirby Smart addressed the media on Sunday afternoon he acknowledged that Beck was “somber” but still seeking “further information.”
Beck has started 27 straight games for Georgia. This year has been uneven, with more interceptions (12) and a decrease in completion percentage (64.7) and passing yards per game (268.1). But he has had to do more with injuries at tailback and the offensive line and with Georgia receivers struggling with drops.
So if Beck is healthy enough, Georgia wants him to play. But it saw enough in Stockton to feel more confident: The sophomore showed off his running ability while also completing 12-of-16 passes for 71 yards. (Though there was one glaring interception.)
“There’s no good script, right, for losing a quarterback or having to go to your backup,” Smart said on Sunday. “It certainly wasn’t a great script last night to have to do it against the number one team in the country on defense. And having to do that at halftime was tough. But this situation does give you time, if that’s what has to happen. There is time there.”
(Photo: Brett Davis / Imagn Images)
