NEW ORLEANS, La. -- Baylor quarterback Charlie Brewer has apparently avoided major injury after being carted off at the Sugar Bowl against Georgia. 

Rather than a head injury or a concussion like was speculated, Baylor coach Matt Rhule said Brewer was being evaluated for a neck and C-spine injury by the training staff. 

“That’s what they were concerned about was his neck,” Rhule said. “Didn’t exhibit any head symptoms, but I’m sure they’ll continue to monitor him after this throughout the night just to make sure. But there was some concern about his neck and took him off and cleared him from that.” 

It appeared that Brewer was down and out after taking a late hit from a Georgia defender in the fourth quarter. However, the training staff was primarily trying to stabilize his neck on the sideline during the injury timeout so they could take him off. He left the game with a towel draped over his head and with his teammates taking a knee at the 30-yard line. 

“He’s yelling at them to let him go back in the game,” Rhule said. “He’s just that kind of guy. He’s a great player whose best football is ahead of him.” 

Baylor running back Trestan Ebner said that Brewer was back in the locker room with his teammates after the 26-14 loss to No. 5 Georgia. 

Brewer suffered a concussion against Oklahoma in the Big 12 Championship Game in his last appearance. After the game, Brewer had to stay in a dark room for a week afterwards, according to reports. However, he was cleared to practice and eventually return for the Jan. 1 game. 

Baylor’s staff received criticism for not pulling him from the Big 12 title game after suffering an apparent injury. The head referee requested that Brewer leave the game to be evaluated for a concussion, and he did not return. Brewer has been in the concussion protocol multiple times over the past two seasons. 

Brewer has served as starting quarterback for much of the past three seasons. He led the Bears from 1-11 in 2017 to 11-3 in 2019 and a Texas Bowl victory over Vanderbilt in 2018. He ranks No. 3 on the all-time Baylor passing list, behind only Robert Griffin III and Bryce Petty. 

After Brewer went off, Baylor turned to true freshman quarterback Jacob Zeno. He completed 4-of-9 passes for 23 yards and an interception in the loss.

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