Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers is “questionable” for Saturday’s SEC opener towards Mississippi State, coach Steve Sarkisian stated Monday.
Ewers practiced Monday morning, however Sarkisian stated they’ll proceed to observe him and see how he responds all through the week earlier than making a ultimate name about his availability.
“He is bought to do sufficient to point out me he can play,” Sarkisian informed reporters. “Can he execute the sport plan? I wish to make sure that he is wholesome sufficient to play at a excessive degree. That is why I must see how he responds to right now’s work and what it appears like on a Tuesday, then on a Wednesday, that are fairly heavy days for him, after which [see] how he rebounds on Thursday and so forth and so forth. It may be type of a piece in progress.
“However right now was an excellent begin. I used to be truly impressed with the place he was right now.”
Ewers, a Heisman Trophy contender, suffered an indirect pressure within the second quarter of the Longhorns‘ 56-7 win over UTSA on Sept. 14, and was compelled to overlook this previous week’s 51-3 win over Louisiana-Monroe.
Backup quarterback Arch Manning has stepped up in Ewers’ absence and in his first faculty begin over the weekend, he went 15-for-29 for 258 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. It took a short time for him to settle into the sport. Manning threw an interception on his first possession and made some questionable selections on different throws. The redshirt freshman graded his personal efficiency as a “C+” however added “a win’s a win.”
Sarkisian stated the factor that impressed him probably the most was Manning’s maturity and the way he responded mentally.
“I’ve seen quite a lot of younger quarterbacks have a tough begin after which that tough begin turns right into a tough recreation,” Sarkisian stated. “However I believed he rebounded and did some good issues for us.”
Sarkisian stated the plan going into the ULM recreation was heavy on taking deep pictures downfield, which Manning is assured in doing and likes doing. Nonetheless, if he may return in time, he in all probability would have modified a few of these play calls.
“I am type of kicking myself slightly,” Sarkisian stated. “I want I had a couple of different type of freebie completions for him simply in order that there may have been slightly bit extra stability, getting that completion share up, being environment friendly and shifting the chains. However the explosive performs are nice when you’ll be able to hit them down the sphere. You simply bought to know when to test the ball down.
“Studying expertise for him and studying expertise for me too working with him.”
Texas is arguably in a win-win state of affairs no matter Ewers’ standing this week. If he performs, the Horns get their beginning QB again. If he sits, there’s extra time for him to relaxation earlier than the schedule will get difficult, whereas Manning beneficial properties extra expertise and reps.
Wanting forward, the Longhorns are idle subsequent week earlier than a tricky stretch of showdowns towards No. 21 Oklahoma (Oct. 12) and No. 2 Georgia (Oct. 19). Sarkisian would like to have Ewers again by then, and will not rush the method.
“I feel the great thing about it for Quinn and I is our time collectively, him having to come back again from accidents beforehand, him figuring out that him being sincere with me is in his greatest curiosity and our greatest curiosity and issues of that nature,” Sarkisian stated.
“I am going to do every thing in my energy to place him in one of the best place to achieve success if he performs. And if he would not, what does that appear like shifting ahead? However I feel our historical past collectively might be probably the most useful factor that we’ve got going for us this week.”
Laken Litman covers faculty soccer, faculty basketball and soccer for FOX Sports activities. She beforehand wrote for Sports activities Illustrated, USA Immediately and The Indianapolis Star. She is the creator of “Robust Like a Lady,” printed in spring 2022 to mark the fiftieth anniversary of Title IX. Observe her on Twitter @LakenLitman.
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