Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers left the No. 2 Longhorns’ game against UTSA on Saturday due to what appeared to be a non-contact injury. Ewers walked to the sideline gingerly after pulling up following a handoff in the second quarter. He was replaced by Arch Manning, who threw a touchdown pass to extend Texas’ lead to 21-0. Ewers had an impressive performance prior to his injury, going 14-of-16 for 185 yards and two touchdowns before being taken to the medical tent on the sideline.
After being examined in the medical tent, Ewers made a dejected walk to the Texas locker room with a towel over his head. He later returned to the sideline without his uniform on, indicating that his injury was likely significant. ESPN cameras captured Ewers motioning to the left side of his midsection while talking to people on the Texas sideline, with coach Steve Sarkisian later revealing that Ewers had suffered a strained abdomen. Manning, who stepped in for Ewers, threw a touchdown pass on his first attempt, connecting with DeAndre Moore Jr. for a 19-yard score.
Manning, the nephew of NFL legends Peyton and Eli Manning, has been the Longhorns’ backup quarterback since the College Football Playoff in January. Despite Manning’s strong performance, UTSA managed to score and cut Texas’ lead to 21-7. Manning responded with a 67-yard rushing touchdown on his third play after replacing Ewers, showcasing his dual-threat ability on the field. Ewers has a history of injuries, having missed time due to shoulder injuries in both of his seasons as Texas’ starting quarterback.
In 2022, Ewers injured his right throwing shoulder during a game against Alabama, and in 2023, he injured his left shoulder against Houston. After missing two games following the injury against the Cougars last season and being replaced by Maalik Murphy, Ewers transferred to Duke at the end of the regular season. The extent of Ewers’ latest injury and the timeline for his return to the field are currently unknown, leaving Texas with Manning as the primary option at quarterback. As the Longhorns navigate Ewers’ absence, Manning will have the opportunity to showcase his skills and lead the team in his place.
