Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers (3) stands on the sideline in a sling after coming out of the game during the third quarter against the Houston Cougars at TDECU Stadium. Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports

Texas dealt a big blow with injury to QB Quinn Ewers

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 10/22/23

The Texas Longhorns may have escaped John O’Quinn Field with a 31-24 win over the Houston Cougars on Saturday, but the team certainly suffered a significant loss.

Per Anwar Richardson of Rivals.com , sophomore quarterback Quinn Ewers is expected to miss some games after suffering a non-season-ending AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder against Houston.

The injury came in the fourth quarter when Ewers was flushed from the pocket and scrambled for a few yards up the middle. He lowered his shoulder as Houston’s David Ugwoegbu closed, resulting in a violent collision. Ewers, who completed 23 of 29 passes for 211 yards and two touchdowns, was replaced by Maalik Murphy.

Here's the play Quinn Ewers got hurt on and what Sark after the game about his injury. pic.twitter.com/N4x5cTnKFk
— Travis Recek (@TravisRecek) October 22, 2023

Ewers ranked 10th in the country in completion percentage (70.8) and 22nd in passing yards (1,915), and he’s one of seven QBs with 13 or more touchdown passes and three or fewer interceptions.

With Ewers out, Texas will presumably lean heavily on its run game as it breaks in a new QB. Sophomore Jonathon Brooks leads the team with 825 yards and six touchdowns on 128 carries, while freshman C.J. Baxter has 217 yards and two touchdowns on 50 carries.

While Murphy has been UT's backup this season, he has just eight pass attempts in his college career. True freshman Arch Manning, a five-star QB and the No. 1 overall recruit in the 2023 class, could also get a look if Ewers misses significant time.

Texas will learn more today about the severity of Quinn Ewers shoulder injury.

Here's Sark on potentially moving forward with Maalik Murphy and Arch Manning at quarterback.

"Both those guys... they have really put in a lot of work to play good football for us." #HookEm pic.twitter.com/YT64kWqw5J
— Jeff Barker (@JeffBarker_) October 22, 2023

The Longhorns have five regular-season games left against opponents with a combined 21-14 record. The next two weeks appear to be the most difficult for UT with matchups against 5-2 BYU and 5-2 Kansas State.

Depending on how it comes out of its five-game stretch, Texas could also be playing in the Big 12 championship game and a bowl game with an outside shot at the College Football Playoff.

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