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Olivia Sayer
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (15) gets injured during the first half of the 2024 SEC Championship NCAA football game between Georgia and Texas at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo/Laney Martin; @LaneyMartinPhotography)
Georgia football’s path to the national championship just got slightly more challenging.
The school announced on Monday evening that starting quarterback Carson Beck suffered an elbow injury and is exploring treatment options. There is no current timetable on a potential return, according to the school.
Beck’s injury occurred in the first half of Georgia’s 22-19 SEC championship victory over Texas. The quarterback got drilled attempting to escape the pocket and throw to the end zone on the final play of the first half. Smart said on Sunday that the Bulldogs were out of kicker Peyton Woodring’s range, leading to the hail mary attempt.
“We worked on [the play] this last week to try to get better at it,” head coach Kirby Smart said. “And just unfortunate, they rushed four instead of three. And he’s got to locate the defender and know where the guys are coming from and try to avoid them.”
Georgia has about three weeks before it faces the winner of Indiana-Notre Dame on January 1 in the Sugar Bowl. Smart said the timeline allows backup quarterback Gunner Stockton time to receive reps — after finishing 12 for 16 with 71 yards passing and one interception in relief of Beck on Saturday. However, Smart also said, “you can’t really get experience in this amount of time.”
The university also announced punter Brett Thorson sustained a non-contact knee injury that will require season-ending surgery. Thorson suffered the injury to his non-kicking leg while attempting to make a tackle in the third quarter.
“Carson and Brett are both fierce competitors and extremely hard workers,” Smart said in a 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.”
The Bulldogs did not punt after Thorson’s injury but converted a fake punt in the fourth quarter with backup kicker Charlie Ham. Georgia’s backup punter is freshman Drew Miller, who was the No. 1 ranked punter in the class of 2024.
“We think he’s really talented, and he does a great job,” Smart said. “He’s worked really hard to get the opportunity, and he punts every day in practice and does a tremendous job. He’s a very highly recruited kid who we’ve got a lot of confidence in.”
Both Beck and Thorson could return for one final season with the Bulldogs.