Will Arch Manning start vs BYU? Quinn Ewers' injury has Texas fans thinking

Many Texas fans hope they can see quarterback Arch Manning in action in the Longhorns' next game against BYU in Week 9. This comes after starting quarterback Quinn Ewers suffered a Grade 2 AC joint sprain in his throwing shoulder in the 31-24 win over Houston in Week 8.

Ewers is expected to be out of action for an extended period, leaving the battle for the starting job between Arch Manning and Maalik Murphy. Texas coach Steve Sarkisian will have to trust either of the two signal-callers as the team faces off against BYU on Saturday.

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Will Arch Manning start against BYU?

While many Longhorns faithful long to see Arch Manning in action for the program, It's unlikely that the former five-star prospect will start against the Cougars. The class of 2023 No. 1 rated prospect must wait for his chance at the Longhorns' QB1 role.

Redshirt freshman Maalik Murphy is unequivocally the second-string quarterback for Texas after appearing in four games this season. He stepped in for Ewers during the fourth quarter against Houston and is the likely starter for the upcoming game against BYU in Week 9.

Manning has not yet had the opportunity to take an official snap in college football. Given these circumstances, it appears highly improbable that Sarkisian and his coaching staff would deploy him at this stage in the season unless faced with an urgent situation.

While he might not get the starting role against BYU, Arch Manning could feature in Saturday's game. He has the flexibility to participate in up to four games this season while still maintaining his redshirt status, which gives him one year of eligibility post-graduation.

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How long is Quinn Ewers out?

Although Quinn Ewers is anticipated to be sidelined for an extended duration due to his shoulder injury, he has not been definitively excluded from the season. There remains a possibility that he may return to the field for Texas at the closing stages of the season.

Reports out of Texas suggest a sense of optimism within the football program regarding Quinn Ewers' potential return to the field later this season. Nevertheless, the exact date for his expected return remains uncertain.

More comprehensive assessments are scheduled for later this week to provide a clearer picture of his status. Ewers has played a crucial role in the Longhorns offense, throwing 1,915 yards and 13 touchdowns. He has also scored five rushing touchdowns this season.