Report: Texas’ Quinn Ewers starts due to injury; Arch Manning Could Make “Cameo” | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Quarterback Quinn Ewers is expected to start for the No. 3 Texas Longhorns in their road game against the No. 20 Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday night, according to reports.

According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, it’s unlikely that Ewers will be back to 100 percent after suffering a severe ankle sprain in last week’s win over Kentucky, but he has been “feverishly rehabilitating” and is considered likely will play on Saturday.

However, with Ewers’ mobility compromised by the injury, Thamel noted that Longhorns backup Arch Manning could make “some cameo appearances” during the game against Texas A&M.

Saturday’s game is significant for both the Longhorns and Aggies as the winner will face Georgia in the SEC Championship Game.

While Texas will likely advance to the College Football Playoff even with a loss on Saturday, Texas A&M almost certainly needs a win to keep its CFP hopes alive.

Texas enters Saturday with a 10-1 season record and Ewers has been a big part of the team’s success.

Through nine games, Ewers has completed 68.0 percent of his passes for 2,089 yards, a career-high 23 touchdowns and just six interceptions.

Ewers missed two games earlier this season, which pushed Manning into action. The country’s No. 1 2023 recruit is 2-0 in those starts and has performed tremendously in six total appearances, completing 67.8 percent of his pass attempts for 939 yards, nine touchdowns and two picks while also completing 81 Yards scored and three scores.

Even when Ewers is healthy, Manning is the far more mobile quarterback, suggesting he may have played a role in Saturday’s game regardless of Ewers’ status.

As Thamel pointed out, two of Texas A&M’s three losses this season were largely due to an inability to handle mobile quarterbacks.

Notre Dame’s Riley Leonard rushed for 63 yards in the season-opening win over Texas A&M, while South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers rushed for 106 yards and a touchdown as the Gamecocks beat the Aggies.

With Ewers ailing last week, the Longhorns leaned heavily on their running game, rushing the ball 46 times for 251 yards. Quintrevion Wisner led the way with 26 carries for 158 yards and a score.

To preserve Ewers’ ankle for a possible appearance in the SEC Championship Game and the College Football Playoff, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the Longhorns employ a run-heavy attack again on Saturday in a difficult road environment at Texas A&M.