AUSTIN, Texas – Texas Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered a “strained abdomen” during the Week 3 game against UTSA, according to coach Steve Sarkisian. Ewers sustained the injury in the second quarter after making a long pass to tight end Gunner Helm and going down awkwardly while running down the field. He spent about 15 minutes in the medical tent before leaving the field and heading to the tunnel with a towel over his head.
In Ewers’ absence, backup quarterback Arch Manning took over and made an immediate impact by throwing a 19-yard touchdown on his first play. Manning then followed it up with a 67-yard touchdown run on the next drive. Ewers had a strong start to the game, completing 14-of-16 passes for 185 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception in the first 18 minutes before being sidelined with the injury.
Coach Sarkisian confirmed Ewers’ injury status at halftime, stating that the quarterback had a strained abdomen. Texas, ranked No. 2, has a favorable upcoming schedule with matches against UTSA, Louisiana-Monroe, and Mississippi State, followed by a bye week prior to facing Oklahoma and Georgia. Ewers, who missed games in his previous seasons due to injury, is considered a top contender for the Heisman Trophy after Texas’ victory at Michigan in Week 2.
Looking back at the 2022 season, Texas has a winning record of 4-1 in games where Ewers did not start due to injury. Ewers had previously missed two games in 2023 due to an AC joint sprain. The Longhorns faced a challenging moment during a game against Alabama in 2022, where Ewers exited the match in the first quarter, resulting in a heartbreaking loss. Despite these setbacks, Ewers’ talent and resilience have been evident throughout his career as Texas’ starting quarterback.
As Ewers focuses on recovering from his current injury, the Longhorns will rely on Manning and the rest of the team to maintain their momentum in the upcoming games. The quarterback’s presence and leadership on the field have been crucial to Texas’ success, and his absence will undoubtedly be felt. The team and fans alike are hopeful for Ewers’ speedy recovery and return to the field as soon as possible.