Arch Manning’s time could be coming.
Texas starting quarterback Quinn Ewers has a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder and is expected to “miss some time,” according to ESPN.
The Longhorns now must decide who to start in Ewers’ absence, beginning Saturday at home against BYU.
Texas head coach Steve Sarkasian told reporters if the game was played Monday, he would turn to redshirt freshman quarterback Maalik Murphy.
However, he added that both Murphy and Manning will get plenty of reps during the week.
Manning’s time will eventually come for Texas, but the Longhorns have a delicate balance right now with their faint national title hopes still alive.
Ewers is mocked as a top pick in next year’s draft, and beat out Manning for the job in the offseason.
With 1,915 passing yards, 13 touchdowns and just three interceptions, Ewers has done nothing to lose the job while leading Texas to No. 7 in the polls.
“I think that the one thing about this team and the way we practice, the team has a lot of confidence in Maalik and Arch, because I know how well those guys competed,” Sarkisian said. “We’ll devise a plan for whoever that QB is.”
Texas can hope Ewers, who Sarkisian said is week to week, heals fast and Murphy has a year up on Manning in Texas’ offensive system.
Texas has to hope Murphy can hold the fort against a relatively soft upcoming schedule.
Even if Manning does not start, it’s possible he could still enter should Murphy struggle.
Manning has yet to play a snap this season.
Murphy threw just two passes in Ewers’ place in last Saturday’s 31-24 win over Houston, and has thrown eight total passes in his collegiate career.
The Longhorns can’t afford another slip-up if they hope to make the College Football Playoff, and they already face an uphill climb after a loss to No. 6 Oklahoma.
There are six undefeated teams remaining – all of which are ahead of Texas in the AP poll – and the Longhorns need some help to be one of the final four teams.
Texas does not face a current top-25 team over its final five games, though they could likely play themselves into a rematch with Oklahoma in the Big 12 title game if they win out.
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