The Texas Longhorns held on to the top spot in the AP Poll this week despite not having starting quarterback Quinn Ewers. However, things may be looking a bit more optimistic for the first conference game as members of the SEC on Saturday afternoon against the Mississippi State Bulldogs.
On Monday afternoon, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian announced that Ewers is officially questionable for Saturday's game.
This injury update indicates that Ewers is at least progressing enough where he is in the mix to be back in the starting lineup. He would be a welcomed addition, as he has gone 58-of-79 (73.4%) for 691 passing yards with eight touchdowns to a pair of interceptions.
There is, of course, the gamesmanship angle of this announcement as well. Publicly saying that Ewers is questionable for the Week 5 game means Mississippi State has to prepare for both quarterbacks compared to just one.
How was Quinn Ewers injured?
Quinn Ewers suffered a non-contact injury in their Week 3 matchup at home against the UTSA Roadrunners. During the game, he went down and went to the medical tent and was replaced by Arch Manning under center.
The extent of the injury has not been made public as it has been labeled as an abdominal injury. Ewers didn't play in the Week 4 game against the UL Monroe Warhawks, as he recovered from the injury.
Can Quinn Ewers still win the Heisman Trophy this season?
Despite missing about six quarters of action thus far with his injury, Quinn Ewers is still one of the favorites to win the 2024 Heisman Trophy. He currently is seventh in the odds on DraftKings Sportsbook (+1500) and the following players are the only ones ahead of him:
- Cam Ward, Miami: +450
- Jaxson Dart, Ole Miss: +500
- Jalen Milroe, Alabama: +700
- Nico Iamaleava, Tennessee: +950
- Dillon Gabriel, Oregon: +1000
- Carson Beck, Georgia +1400
This is a great sign, as, typically, injuries and missing games would be the nail in the coffin for Heisman Trophy hopes. However, Ewers has shown the ability to dominate and put up massive numbers, no matter the defense. As long as he can stay healthy, his Heisman hopes are yet to be dashed.
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