Report: Texas' Ewers Set to Return from Injury, Start Over Arch Manning vs. Oklahoma

Quinn Ewers is reportedly expected to be under center the next time the Texas Longhorns take the field.

Chip Brown of 247Sports reported Monday that Ewers is expected to play in the team's Oct. 12 game against rival Oklahoma following a bye week as long as he doesn't experience a setback as he recovers from the abdominal strain he suffered against UTSA on Sept. 14.

He sat out victories over UL Monroe and Mississippi State while Arch Manning started.

"We haven't had any setbacks," head coach Steve Sarkisian told reporters. "It's been steady progress. I think he's getting stronger and more comfortable and more confident, and so we'll just kind of stay the course with that."

Fortunately for Texas, backup quarterbacks usually aren't as talented as Manning.

The nephew of Peyton and Eli Manning arrived on campus as a 5-star prospect and the No. 1 overall player in the class of 2023, per 247Sports' composite rankings. He certainly looked like a 5-star talent when he was on the field when Ewers was sidelined.

Manning turned in the following stat lines the last three games:

• 9/14 vs. UTSA: 9-of-12 passing for 223 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs; 3 carries for 53 yards, 1 TD
• 9/21 vs. UL Monroe: 15-of-29 passing for 258 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs
• 9/28 vs. MSU: 26-of-31 passing for 324 yards, 2 TDs, 0 INTs; 6 carries for 33 yards, 1 TD

While having a backup like Manning is quite the luxury that should help Texas remain in the national title picture even if Ewers experiences any type of setback, it is still a welcome development for the team to get its starter back for the rivalry showdown with the Sooners.

He put himself firmly in early Heisman Trophy discussions in the second game of the season when he went on the road and torched the reigning-champion Michigan Wolverines during a 31-12 victory. Ewers went 24-of-36 for 246 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions in a game that could have been uglier if the Longhorns didn't dial it back in the second half.

It was a statement performance ahead of Texas' first SEC conference slate, and Ewers will have another opportunity to make more national statements in back-to-back games against Oklahoma and Georgia.

Texas A&M is the only ranked team remaining on the Longhorns' schedule after the next two games, so Ewers could put his team on track for a potential conference title and College Football Playoff spot if he performs well upon his return.