Steve Sarkisian reveals plan at quarterback after Quinn Ewers injury
Steve Sarkisian has revealed the plan for Texas‘ quarterback room, with Quinn Ewers slated to miss some time with an AC joint sprain.
On Monday, Sarkisian revealed that the Longhorns will, “go through the week with Maalik Murphy and Arch Manning both getting first-team reps,” but added that Murphy would be the team’s starter if a game was being played right now, according to Inside Texas.
“If the game was being played today, Maalik would start the game,” Sarkisian said, via Inside Texas. “Again, Arch will be ready to go.”
Continuing, Ewers’ injury is a Grade 2 sprain in his throwing shoulder, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Yahoo! Sports’ Anwar Richardson first reported the injury update, noting “there is optimism he will play again this season,” though there is no timetable for a return currently.
Of course, Ewers has been Texas’ starting quarterback through the last two seasons, and has really started to come into his own of late.
The talented sophomore has thrown for 1,915 yards this season with a 70.9% completion percentage. He has tossed 13 touchdowns against just three interceptions, while he has also run for five scores.
Ewers reportedly suffered the injury on a sack during the Houston game. The injury occurred when Ewers was out of the pocket scrambling, attempting to pick up a first down. He lowered his shoulder into a Houston defender — who was also shaken up on the play.
“Quinn (Ewers) has a hurt shoulder,” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said during his postgame press conference. “We’ll know tomorrow. He tried to play through it.”
Ewers finished the game 23-of-29 passing for 211 yards and two touchdowns. He did not throw an interception.
While it’s looking complicated at the moment, Texas is going to be hoping Ewers does not miss a significant amount of time with the shoulder injury. It would be something they have dealt with in the past, with a similar situation unfolding last season. Sarkisian had to go three games without Ewers in 2022, with Hudson Card taking over.
However, Card had experience in the past being a starting quarterback for Texas. He was the guy heading into the 2021 season before going back and forth with Casey Thompson. Card filled in admirably, going 2-1.
Sarkisian will have a different scenario this year if Ewers has to sit out. Maalik Murphy has been the backup all season but did not play significant snaps in a college game until Saturday. Then there is true freshman Arch Manning, likely the person Texas fans are going to want to see.
On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this article.