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The Texas Longhorns' victory over Kentucky may have come at a steep price, as starting quarterback Quinn Ewers faces an uncertain future following an ankle injury sustained during the game. With an MRI looming, the question of whether Texas will turn to highly-touted backup Arch Manning has sparked widespread speculation.
Ewers went down in the first half after a hip-drop tackle near midfield, briefly entering the medical tent before returning to finish the game. Despite the injury, he delivered a composed performance, throwing for 191 yards, completing 20-of-31 es, and scoring two touchdowns without an interception. However, the pain visibly affected his mobility, prompting head coach Steve Sarkisian to shift toward a ground-heavy offensive strategy in the second half.
"It just kept kind of tightening up on him," Sarkisian explained after the game. "At that point, I said that I didn't feel like it was worth having to expose him." The Longhorns rushed for 132 yards in the second half alone, securing the win but raising questions about their reliance on Ewers moving forward.
This isn't the first injury scare for Ewers this season. Earlier in the year, he missed several games after an oblique injury sidelined him for nearly a month. Despite his recent return, durability concerns continue to plague the junior quarterback, leaving the Longhorns in a precarious position.
After the game, Ewers sounded optimistic, labeling the injury as "just a little tender" and committing to intensive treatment. However, the team's decision to schedule an MRI suggests there is still uncertainty about the severity of the issue.
Arch Manning's moment to shine?
With a high-stakes showdown against Texas A&M on the horizon, all eyes are on Ewers' recovery. If he's unable to suit up, Texas could turn to freshman phenom Arch Manning. As the most anticipated recruit in college football, Manning's potential to play in such a pivotal rivalry game would undoubtedly make headlines-and add another layer of drama to the Longhorns' season.
For now, Texas fans can only hope their starting quarterback is ready to take the field. But if Ewers is sidelined, Manning's chance to prove himself on the national stage might arrive sooner than expected.