ATHENS — While making an appearance on ESPN’s College GameDay ahead of the Notre Dame-Indiana game on Friday night, Georgia coach Kirby Smart provided an update on quarterback Carson Beck.

While Smart did not confirm the reports that Beck would be out for the entirety of the College Football Playoff, he did share why the quarterback has been away from the team as the Bulldogs continue to prepare for their College Football Playoff game.

“He and his family down in Jacksonville, his team and staff and really group of people in his family have been trying to pursue the best options to go forward,” Smart said. “We’ve talked to him. We’ve communicated with him, and we’re hoping for the best.”

Beck suffered an injury to his elbow on the final play of the first half of the SEC Championship game.

On the season, Beck has thrown for 3,485 yards while completing 65 percent of his passes. He threw 28 touchdowns this to go with 12 interceptions. He has started the previous 27 games for Georgia, with the Bulldogs going 24-3 in those starts.

With Beck unavailable, Gunner Stockton is in line start in his place. Stockton filled in for Beck in the SEC Championship game, completing 12 of 16 pass attempts for 71 yards and an interception in the 22-19 win over Texas.

“He’s been a great competitor. He’s had some really great practices,” Smart said of Stockton on College GameDay. “It’s been good to see him get reps and grow as a player. It’s been really enjoyable to watch him grow and go against that defense of ours. It’s been awesome for him.”

Stockton would be making his first career start in the Sugar Bowl, which is set for Jan. 1 and an 8:45 p.m. ET kickoff. The Bulldogs have had some time off to help further prepare Stockton and integrate him into the offense.

Georgia will learn who it is playing on Friday, as the Bulldogs face the winner of Notre Dame and Indiana. That game is set for an 8 p.m. ET start on ABC.