Report: Texas QB Quinn Ewers will play against Okahoma

In a repeat of 2022, Texas Longhorns starting quarterback Quinn Ewers will reportedly return from injury on Oct. 12 in the Cotton Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners, according to a report from Orangebloods’ Anwar Richardson on Tuesday.

Ewers suffered a non-contact oblique strain early in the second quarter of the 56-7 win over UTSA on Sept. 14 and missed the next two games as redshirt freshman Arch Manning was given the first two starts of his college career. Ewers was 14 of 16 passes for 185 yards, two touchdowns and one interception against the Roadrunners when he was injured and is off to a strong start to the season, completing 58 of 79 passes for 691 yards, eight touchdowns and two interceptions.

Replacing Ewers, Manning had some trouble against ULM, throwing two interceptions and completing 51.7 percent of his passes, but he was largely impressive, completing 55 of 78 passes for 900 yards, nine touchdowns and two interceptions.

Over the last two weeks, Ewers was listed as questionable in games where the Horns were heavily favored, prompting Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian to take a conservative approach toward Ewers as Manning showed signs of future stardom.

“I think he’s making steady progress day by day, which is a good sign — we haven’t had any setbacks,” Sarkisian said of Ewers on Monday. “It was steady progress. I think he’s getting stronger, more comfortable and more confident, so we’ll just stay the course with that.”

Staying the course requires making sure Ewers is engaged during meetings and practice as he rehabs his injury – attending every meeting, going over the call sheet on Friday nights with Sarkisian, the offensive coaches and other quarterbacks and wears an earpiece on the sideline during the game.

Two years ago, Ewers returned from a shoulder injury suffered against Alabama to lead Texas to its historic 49-0 victory over Oklahoma, completing 21 of 31 passes for 289 yards, four touchdowns and one interception.