Texas declines to release an update on Quinn Ewers but confidence exists in his backups

As it starts preparing for the eighth game of its season, Texas has plenty of questions it needs to answer:

∙ Is the secondary now an area of concern for a team that ranks 38th nationally in total defense?

∙ As evidenced by a failed fake field goal at Houston on Saturday, are the Longhorns too aggressive on fourth downs?

∙ And what is going on at quarterback?

Texas starter Quinn Ewers was injured in UT's 31-24 win over Houston on Saturday. As Texas wrapped up its postgame obligations, Ewers was seen leaving the stadium with his right arm in a sling.

After the game, Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian simply confirmed that Ewers had "a hurt shoulder" and that the Longhorns would learn more about the extent of the injury on Sunday. Sarkisian added that Ewers tried to play through the injury, but the UT staff didn't feel comfortable with keeping him on the field.

On Sunday, a Texas spokesperson said the school would not be releasing any official updates on Ewers. Citing sources, Orangebloods was the first of several outlets to report later in the day that Ewers had suffered an AC joint sprain that was not considered to be a season-ending injury.

Texas has also not yet clarified when Ewers was injured. It was presumed that he got hurt during an on-field collision with UH defensive lineman David Ugwoegbu during the third quarter, but a scrambling Ewers led into that run-in with his left shoulder. Five plays before that key moment, he landed on his right shoulder after a sack by Houston's Nelson Ceaser.

Ewers threw four short passes between that sack and the collision with Ugwoegbu, and he then twice tossed the football out of the back of the end zone after that play.

As he does every week, Sarkisian will meet the media on Monday. If Sarkisian doesn't voluntarily provide an update in his opening statement, the status of his quarterback will likely be among the first things he is asked to address.

Sarkisian said on Saturday that he was naturally concerned about the health of Ewers since the quarterback couldn't finish the game. He added that "I'm hopeful Quinn can continue to go and we'll find out what the extent of that is."

This is not the first time in recent memory that a UT quarterback has suffered a notable injury. During the 2018 season, Sam Ehlinger was forced into early exits against Baylor and Iowa State. Casey Thompson tried to play through a hand injury during parts of the 2021 campaign. Last year, Ewers was injured in the first quarter of a marquee matchup against Alabama and missed the next three games with a sprained clavicle.

In Ehlinger's case, Shane Buechele was able to close out those wins for Texas. Hudson Card performed admirably in Ewers' absence last season, but Texas went just 2-2 in those games.

If Ewers is unable to play, Maalik Murphy is the next man up. Murphy entered Saturday's game in the fourth quarter. Excluding his two kneel-downs at the end of the game, Texas ran the football seven times with the redshirt freshman in the huddle. One of those runs was CJ Baxter's decisive 16-yard touchdown with 5:37 left.

Murphy completed one of his two pass attempts. He missed Adonai Mitchell on a third-down pass but later connected with Jordan Whittington for a 7-yard gain.

Sarkisian felt that Murphy "showed great poise and composure," and he was even pleased with the conviction that Murphy showed on the third-down misfire to Mitchell. Sophomore running back Jonathon Brooks said that Murphy had a locked-in demeanor when he was called upon.

Murphy had previously made three mop-up appearances this season and Texas fans got an extended look at him during the spring game. But if Ewers is out for an extended amount of time, he isn't the only option for the Longhorns. Sarkisian also expressed confidence in freshman Arch Manning's capabilities. A five-star prize in the 2023 recruiting cycle, Manning has not played yet this season.

"I think this team has a lot of confidence in both (Murphy and Manning)," Brooks said. "They come to practice every day like they're the starter. I feel like they know the plays, they know everything. They have a lot of confidence in themselves, so we just have to build them up to let them keep their confidence."

Ironically, Sarkisian had been asked about the progression of both Murphy and Manning on the Monday ahead of the Houston game. He said both quarterbacks were working hard with assistant coach AJ Milwee and were grasping a better understanding of what UT is systematically trying to do on offense. Sarkisian then added that "there's gonna come a time, knock on wood, when their number's gonna get called on and we're gonna need them to play a high level of football to win a ballgame."

Five days later, Texas needed Murphy to secure a win in Houston. After the game, Sarkisian was reminded of what he'd said on Monday. All the coach could do was laugh.

"I didn't mean this week," Sarkisian replied.

On Sunday, Texas moved up a spot to the No. 7 slot in the Associated Press poll. Next up on the schedule for Texas (6-1, 3-1) is a home game against BYU this upcoming Saturday afternoon. The Cougars (5-2, 2-2) last made an appearance in Austin in 2014.

BYU ranks 79th nationally in rushing defense (150.3 yards per game) and 98th in pass defense (246.4 yards per game). BYU is coming off a 27-14 win over Texas Tech in which it forced five turnovers.

Saturday's game

BYU (5-2, 2-2) at No. 7 Texas (6-1, 3-1), 2:30 p.m., ABC, 1300

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Quinn Ewers injured but Texas is confident in backups Murphy, Manning