According to ESPN, Texas starting quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder during the Longhorns’ 31-24 victory over Houston. Although the injury is not expected to end his season, Ewers will have to sit out for a while due to the injury.
Ewers was hit directly on the shoulder by Houston defensive lineman David Ugwoegbu and was immediately taken to the injury tent. He was later taken to the locker room for further assessment. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian remarked that Ewers, who had thrown for 211 yards and two touchdowns before his departure, attempted to continue playing despite the injury.
This is Ewers’ second season as Texas’ starting quarterback. In seven games, the Ohio State transfer and the overall top prospect in the 2022 class, according to 247Sports, has completed 151 passes for 1,915 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has also rushed for five touchdowns and has had four games with at least two passing touchdowns. With Ewers leading the offense, Texas has the fourth-best passing offense in the Big 12, averaging 289 yards per game.
Ewers has had five out of six complete games with over 250 passing yards. His top performance came against Alabama, where he completed 24 of 38 passes for 349 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Longhorns to a significant 34-24 victory.
Backup Option
With Ewers sidelined, backup quarterback Maalik Murphy took over in the game. He helped Texas secure the win by engineering a scoring drive in the fourth quarter. Murphy, a redshirt freshman, has completed four passes in four appearances this season.
The 6-foot-5, 238-pound signal caller gained attention during the offseason for his strong arm and athleticism. Murphy, a former four-star prospect, joined the Longhorns in 2022 from Gardena, California. According to 247Sports, he was ranked as the ninth-best quarterback in his class.
Texas also has five-star true freshman Arch Manning on the roster, but it is unlikely that he will be thrown into the mix this late in the season, given that Murphy is the clear backup. Manning has not yet played a snap at the college level.
Utilizing the Run Game
Murphy brings a different dynamic to the offense with his running ability. The Texas coaching staff could incorporate some creative plays to take advantage of this. Additionally, the Longhorns have a talented group of running backs who can help carry the load and provide an outlet for Murphy.
Sophomore Jonathon Brooks ranks third in the Big 12 in rushing yards with 825 and is tied for second in the conference with six rushing touchdowns. Five-star freshman CJ Baxter, the top-ranked running back in the 2023 class, could also see an increased workload. Although Baxter has already played a significant amount this season, rushing for 217 yards and two touchdowns, his involvement has decreased in the past two games. Getting him more involved will alleviate some of the burden on Brooks and give Murphy a chance to gradually settle into his role.
