Michael Brewer Could Be Back Soon for Texas Tech, but Will He Play?

Texas Tech could be getting sophomore quarterback Michael Brewer back sooner than later.

First-year coach Kliff Kingsbury said on Monday's Big 12 coaches teleconference that Brewer, the presumed starter for the year before being sidelined by a back injury in preseason camp, could be back in "the very near future," although exactly when remains to be determined. 

“I don’t think he’s far if there are no setbacks,” Kingsbury said of Brewer's return via Mike Graham of the Dallas Morning News. “If what I’m hearing from the trainers — It could be the very near future. This bye week I know will help, and we’ll see where he’s at next week.”

It's a good time for Brewer to get back into the mix with the Red Raiders off this weekend before heading to Kansas on Oct. 5. 

Freshman walk-on Baker Mayfield has started the first four games for Tech this season. After getting off to a hot start, Mayfield has cooled a bit over the past two games against TCU and Texas State with one touchdown to four interceptions. 

Felllow freshman Davis Webb saw significant action against TSU in Week 4 and will probably see more playing time going forward as the quarterback situation continues to shake itself out.

But when Brewer returns, what are his chances of becoming a part of the quarterback rotation—or possibly taking over? One would have to think they're pretty good. Brewer looked solid in mop-up duty last season as a freshman with 375 yards passing and four touchdowns and brings experience to the game that both Mayfield and Webb simply don't have at the moment. 

"I definitely think when he gets healthy, we'll see what he's got. It's been a long layoff for him, but he's a talented kid and a talented player," Kingsbury said Monday via David Ubben of Fox Sports Southwest. "I would imagine if he could come back in pretty good form and pretty good shape, we'll get him right back in the mix."

Texas Tech has a manageable next few weeks to start Big 12 conference play, but things pick up quickly after that starting with an Oct. 26 road game at Oklahoma. Barring a setback, it's tough to think that Brewer won't see some playing time, especially once Texas Tech gets into the final stretch of the season. 

Ben Kercheval is the lead writer for Big 12 football. All quotes obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.