Photo: Aaron E. Martinez / American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Texas Longhorns (1-1, 0-0 Big 12) lost a nail-biter to top-ranked Alabama (2-0, 0-0 SEC)on Saturday and the hard-fought battle came at a price. Starting quarterback Quinn Ewers left the game in the first quarter with a shoulder injury sustained when linebacker Dallas Turner hit Ewers and landed on top of him. Turner was flagged for roughing the passer and Ewers hit the medical tent and subsequently the locker room. He would return to the sideline in street clothes and his left arm in a sling later in the game.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian acknowledged the shoulder injury in his postgame press conference on Saturday, but had no information other than Ewers would undergo an MRI and be further evaluated. Initial reports from ESPN’s Pete Thamel indicated an SC sprain to Ewers’ left shoulder (non-throwing) with a recovery period of 4-6 weeks.
Backup quarterback Hudson Card entered the game and performed well, but suffered an ankle injury early in the 3rd quarter. Card played the remainder of the game with a noticeable hobble, but managed to play well enough to keep Texas in the game, giving them a chance to win inside of two minutes remaining.
Defensive back D’Shawn Jamison also left the game with an ankle injury in the first half, after almost intercepting Alabama quarterback Bryce Young.
Although he played the entire game against the Crimson Tide, star running back Bijan Robinson suffered a shoulder injury in Saturday’s loss.
On Monday at his weekly press conference, Sarkisian disputed media reports about the severity of the injuries, saying all of the aforementioned players are “day-to-day.” The head coach furthered that statement by clarifying that none of the injuries are structural, have no ligament damage and do not require surgery.
Sark was asked who took first team snaps at practice today and responded with “that’s for me.”
Texas fans wanted to know who would step in should Card be pulled on Saturday do to the injured ankle, and that answer came today. Austin High graduate and local product Charles Wright was the “next man up” should the team need another quarterback, according to Sarkisian.
When asked about the status of true freshman QB Maalik Murphy Sarkisian promptly responded that Murphy is not healthy.
In summary, the news from Monday’s press conference is really no news – which is good news for Texas fans.
The Longhorns are preparing for Jeff Traylor and the UTSA Roadrunners who will visit DKR on Saturday after beating Army 41-38 in OT last weekend.
