Examining the timeline for Quinn Ewers to return from injury

Texas is hopeful that quarterback Quinn Ewers can make his return from injury soon as it prepares to make a push for the Big 12 title. Ewers has missed the past two games after suffering a sprained AC joint in Week 9, and his absence was felt after the Longhorns narrowly escaped Kansas State in overtime Saturday.

There is some optimism that Ewers can get back in time for this weekend as Texas is set to face TCU, though nothing has been confirmed as of yet. Bobby Burton of Texas Insider joined On3‘s Andy Staples on Sunday evening to address the possibility as well as what the Longhorns’ plan would be if Ewers is out once again.

“I think it’s possible he’s back against TCU,” Burton said. “He was throwing in practice last week. Now, what does that really mean? Was he throwing 10-yard passes or was he throwing 25-yard passes? Was he stepping into it or was he just flicking it? We don’t know.

“I would not be surprised if Quinn Ewers can’t go if Steve Sarkisian doesn’t look at Arch Manning at some point during that game against TCU. Because Maalik Murphy had two interceptions on Saturday (and) probably should have had four. They were in and out of K-State defenders’ hands two other times. So it’s a precarious situation for Texas right now.”

Murphy has started the two games since Ewers has been out to complete 56.5% of his passes for 418 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions. Although Texas won both of those games, the way Murphy played against the Wildcats left some concerns as Burton mentioned, particularly with the two interceptions.

Manning, the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 cycle according to the On3 Industry Rating, has yet to make his college debut despite plenty of hype surrounding him. Given the injury to Quinn Ewers and how Murphy has looked, however, it may be time to give him a chance this week.

Ultimately, the best case scenario would be that Ewers makes it back in time for this week. If he doesn’t, the next target date would be against Iowa State on Nov. 18. That game is one the Longhorns will have circled after losing the past two matchups in Ames, including 30-7 in 2021.

However, each of the final three teams on Texas’ schedule has something to play for as they hope to send the Longhorns out of the Big 12 with a loss.

“In Steve Sarkisian’s first year, it was the game at Iowa State where Texas’ defensive line coach Bo Davis, he let it rip on how he felt about some guys,” Burton said. “How they weren’t necessarily buying into the team. That’s a return trip to Ames and Ames at night is not easy. I think Texas knows that and we’ll see if it’s a night game after all.

“The idea, though, that this is TCU’s last shot at Texas. Iowa State doesn’t necessarily have that thought process. Texas Tech with all of what went on in the preseason with Brett Yormark and the associate commissioner of the Big 12, I can’t tell you that there’s not some animosity there. I know for a fact Kirby Hocutt would probably give Joey McGuire a raise if he could just beat Texas.”

Ranked No. 7 in the College Football Playoff, Texas still has a shot at winning not only a conference championship but competing for a national title as well once Ewers is healthy. Fans will anxiously await his status ahead of the 6:30 p.m. CT kickoff time on Saturday in Fort Worth.