Steve Sarkisian Addresses Quinn Ewers’ Health and Future After Kentucky Game as Texas Eyes SEC Title and Playoff Run
After Texas’ hard-fought victory over Kentucky, all eyes turned to head coach Steve Sarkisian as he stepped up to the postgame podium—not just because of the Longhorns’ continued pursuit of an SEC Championship and College Football Playoff berth, but because of mounting questions surrounding the status of starting quarterback Quinn Ewers. The junior quarterback, who has been at the center of Texas’ resurgence under Sarkisian, left the game in the third quarter after a hard hit and did not return. Rumors swirled across social media and among reporters, but Sarkisian’s remarks, while measured, provided some much-needed clarity.
Sarkisian confirmed that Ewers had sustained an upper-body injury—believed to be related to his shoulder—but said that more evaluations were needed before a definitive timeline could be established. He emphasized that the injury was not believed to be season-ending, but he also stopped short of promising that Ewers would be ready for the following week’s clash against Ole Miss. “We’re going to continue to evaluate him,” Sarkisian told reporters. “We feel good about where he’s at, but we’re going to be smart. Quinn is a competitor, and I know he’ll do everything he can to get back.”
For Texas, the uncertainty surrounding Ewers arrives at a critical juncture in the season. The win over Kentucky kept the Longhorns unbeaten in conference play and firmly in the playoff discussion, but with pivotal games looming, including a trip to LSU and a home showdown with Georgia, the status of their star quarterback could significantly impact their postseason trajectory. Ewers, who returned for another season despite being eligible for the NFL Draft, has been the steadying presence at the helm of one of college football’s most explosive offenses.
Through the first half of the season, Ewers had shown significant growth, improving his decision-making, deep-ball accuracy, and pocket presence. With multiple marquee wins under his belt—including a statement victory over Alabama earlier in the year—Ewers looked every bit the elite quarterback Texas hoped he would become when he transferred from Ohio State. His chemistry with playmakers like Xavier Worthy, Johntay Cook II, and tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders has made the Longhorns’ passing attack one of the most feared in the country.
Sarkisian made a point to praise Ewers’ leadership in his postgame comments. “What people don’t always see is how much Quinn means to this team off the field,” Sarkisian said. “His presence in the locker room, his voice in the huddle—it’s huge. We’re not just going to miss his arm if he’s out. We’re going to miss the intangibles too.”
Still, Sarkisian expressed confidence in the rest of the quarterback room. While he didn’t commit to a starter in Ewers’ potential absence, true freshman Arch Manning and redshirt freshman Maalik Murphy are expected to compete for the role. Manning, one of the most high-profile recruits in recent college football history, has drawn plenty of attention, but Sarkisian stressed that both quarterbacks had prepared well and earned the trust of the coaching staff. “We feel good about both guys,” Sarkisian said. “They’ve both taken reps with the ones. They understand the system. If we have to make a change, I’m confident we can keep executing at a high level.”
The possibility of Arch Manning taking over, even temporarily, has naturally dominated headlines. Fans have been eager to see the highly touted freshman in action since he arrived in Austin, and with NIL spotlight and the legacy of the Manning name following him, expectations have only intensified. However, Sarkisian was careful to temper the hype. “Arch has done a great job preparing, but this isn’t about branding or media. It’s about winning games. We’ll put the guy on the field who gives us the best chance to do that.”
The team, for its part, appears focused and unified in the wake of Ewers’ injury. Veteran players have rallied around their quarterbacks, echoing Sarkisian’s sentiment that the Longhorns are built to withstand adversity. Star left tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. said postgame that whoever lines up behind center will be protected with the same intensity. “We’ve got Quinn’s back, but we’ve got Arch’s back too, and Maalik’s,” Banks said. “We trust Coach Sark to make the right call. Our job is to keep the pocket clean, no matter who’s in there.”
On the defensive side, players like Jaylan Ford and Byron Murphy II stressed that the team’s goals remain unchanged. “This is the SEC,” Ford said. “Guys get banged up. That’s football. We’ve got depth for a reason. Quinn’s a big part of what we do, but we’re a team. Everyone’s got a role, and we’re all ready to step up.”
Sarkisian’s postgame comments also included praise for how the team responded after Ewers went down. Backup quarterback snaps were limited and conservative in the second half, but the Longhorns leaned on their running game and defense to close out the win. Sarkisian credited the staff for adapting on the fly and keeping the team focused. “That was a gritty win,” he said. “We had to shift gears, and everyone responded. That says a lot about the culture we’ve built here.”
Injuries are nothing new in football, especially in the rugged SEC, where physicality defines every game. But Ewers’ injury carries added weight because of his importance not just to Texas’ 2025 hopes, but to the long-term quarterback succession plan. The staff had hoped for a clean, gradual transition from Ewers to Manning, allowing the freshman to ease into the role in 2026. Now, that timeline could be accelerated, depending on the severity of Ewers’ injury and how the younger quarterbacks perform in practice this week.
Beyond the field, Sarkisian emphasized the importance of managing expectations and blocking out distractions. “We’ve got to stay focused on what’s in front of us,” he said. “The media’s going to speculate. Fans are going to talk. Our job is to prepare the right way, stick to our process, and be ready for whatever comes.”
When asked about Ewers’ morale after the injury, Sarkisian said the quarterback remained engaged and supportive throughout the second half. “He was on the sideline, talking to guys, helping Arch and Maalik, going over coverages. That’s the kind of teammate he is. He’s not going to check out just because he’s not playing.”
As the Longhorns begin preparing for their next opponent, all eyes will be on the quarterback situation. Sarkisian is expected to provide more updates during the week, but he reiterated that there would be no rushed decisions. “We’ll do what’s best for Quinn, and what’s best for the team,” he said. “This isn’t about panic. It’s about poise. We’ve built this program to withstand adversity.”
The next few practices will be telling. If Ewers is able to throw and move without discomfort, he could be available sooner than expected. But if he’s ruled out for a few weeks, the Manning era could begin earlier than anticipated. Either way, Sarkisian’s confidence in his program’s readiness will be tested.
In many ways, how Texas responds to this moment could define their season. The Longhorns have the talent to win out, even with a backup under center, but execution and leadership will be critical. Sarkisian knows the pressure that comes with expectations in Austin. Every decision will be second-guessed, every play analyzed. But he’s also shown an ability to keep his team focused, balanced, and prepared through both highs and lows.
For now, Quinn Ewers’ status remains day-to-day. But the Texas Longhorns are marching forward, eyes fixed on the SEC Championship and beyond. Whether led by a seasoned veteran or a five-star freshman, the mission remains the same: compete, dominate, and bring championship football back to Austin. Sarkisian’s message to the team, and to fans, is clear—this is not the time to panic, it’s the time to believe in the foundation they’ve laid. And if that foundation holds, even the loss of their starting quarterback won’t derail their championship pursuit.
