Georgia’s quest for a third national championship in four years may have to unfold as the Bulldogs’ backup quarterback orchestrates their offense.

Star signal-caller Carson Beck, a backup for Georgia’s title teams in 2021 and 2022, has “explored” surgery that could repair an elbow injury, and the Bulldogs are “preparing to play without Beck” during the College Football Playoff operate”. to ESPN.

The outlet added that Beck’s return this season is considered unlikely, meaning redshirt sophomore Gunner Stockton would start in Georgia’s quarterfinal game on Jan. 1.

Beck’s injury occurred during Georgia’s win over Texas in the SEC championship game when edge rusher Trey Moore lunged toward Beck late in the first half and hit him with his elbow while the redshirt senior was making his throwing motion.

Stockton replaced Beck in the second half and completed 12 of 16 passes for 71 yards and one interception.

But after taking a late hit in overtime, Beck replaced him and handed the ball to running back Trevor Etienne, who scored the touchdown that secured the championship.

“This kid is a winner,” Smart said after the Stockton game, according to ESPN. “This child is special.”

If Beck can’t return, Georgia, which faces the winner of Notre Dame and Indiana in the quarterfinals, would rely on Stockton to replace the quarterback who could become one of the top signal-callers in April’s NFL draft behind Shedeur Sanders and Cam Ward and Quinn Ewers.

Stockton made four cameo appearances during the season – including the conference title game – completing 25 of 32 passes for 206 yards and one interception.

After replacing Beck against the Longhorns, Stockton led Georgia on three long scoring drives – 10 plays and 75 yards for a touchdown, nine plays and 61 yards for a field goal, 16 plays and 72 yards for a field goal to keep up with Texas and Ewers.

“Well, I think his strengths are obviously a little different than Carson’s,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart told reporters earlier this month, according to ESPN. “But we know that. There isn’t a game that we don’t look at and that we don’t have a plan for Gunner if he had to play. I mean, if he’s your backup quarterback, he has to be ready to play.”

And based on Beck’s recent injury update, that could hold true for Georgia’s entire postseason No. 2 seed, too.