NEW ORLEANS — Carson Beck is expected to be back on the sideline for his final game with Georgia, albeit, still unable to play.

“He’s going to join us in the next couple days down here,” UGA coach Kirby Smart said on Monday. “The big thing for him has been his rehab process and what he’s had to do there.

“He’s had a really tough injury, and he needed to get some rehab from people down in Jacksonville.”

Smart said Beck, who has undergone surgery to repair the ulnar collateral ligament in his right arm and is expected to begin throwing in April, has stayed in contact with Gunner Stockton.

“He’s been there for Gunner throughout, he supported Gunner and had multiple conversations with him,” Smart said. “So we’re looking forward to having him with us for this game.”

Beck suffered the injury on the final play of the first half in the SEC Championship Game, looking to throw a Hail Mary as Georgia trailed by a 6-3 count at that time.

Beck returned to the Georgia sideline and actually took the final snap, his right arm dangling at his side, as he handed the ball to Trevor Etienne for the game-winning touchdown in the 22-19 win over Texas.

Smart indicated Beck could not have played even if he had delayed his surgery because of the nature of it.

“Carson’s injury was significant and needed to be repaired and fixed, and he did just that,” Smart said. “That was the best thing for his long-term future. "

Beck’s NFL draft evaluation is a difficult one; even with a relatively weak draft at the quarterback position, the injury and ongoing rehabilitation makes it a complex and fluid projection.

Most believe Beck will be a second day pick — second or third round — but as the old saying goes, all it takes is one team to like you.

Beck, for his part, is taking all the right steps to maximize his rehab.

“He has a specialist who has worked with this injury,” Smart said. “Brock Purdy had a very similar injury, Nick Mullins and I think (Matthew) Stafford. So he (expert) has had several people.

“When you talk about his team of people, including the surgeons, he’s had to do a lot of work with that.”

Smart indicated he views Beck with great respect and appreciation.

“When you look at Carson, he did it the right way,” Smart said. “In terms of, not waiting — that’s not the right word — developing is the right word.”

Smart pointed out the flaw in the logic of some quarterbacks who transfer is believing they will have a better opportunity to develop with playing time, and that’s not necessary the case.

“Just because you’re playing, you’re not necessarily getting better,” Smart said, “and just because you’re hopping from offense to offense, you’re not giving yourself more chance at success.”

Beck led Georgia to a 13-1 record and Orange Bowl victory his first season as a starter and was 11-2 as a starter this season for the Bulldogs.