UPDATE: Texas Longhorns QB Quinn Ewers’ Status Unclear After Injury

The Texas Longhorns may have suffered a big loss during their 31-24 win on Saturday.

Longhorns star quarterback Quinn Ewers was knocked out of the team's 31-24 win vs. the Houston Cougars on Saturday, immediately throwing the rest of the season into question for Texas. 

The injury occurred after Ewers lowered his shoulder on a defender while attempting to scramble for a first down. Ewers finished the game completing 23 of 29 passes for 211 yards and two scores. 

Now, we have some clarity on the status of the Longhorns captain, with Texas head coach Steve Sarkisian updating the media during his post-game press conference. 

“He’s got a hurt shoulder and we will know more tomorrow,” Sarkisian said. “He tried to play through it, and we didn’t feel comfortable with where he was, and that’s when Maalik entered the game.”

If the injury is a similar one to that which he suffered against Alabama last season, which kept him out for four weeks, the Longhorns could be without their signal caller for an extended period. 

Quinn Ewers vs. Houston / USA Today Sports

Redshirt freshman Maalik Murphy came in in relief of Ewers, leading the Longhorns on a touchdown drive in the fourth quarter, and putting Texas back on top. 

For the game, Murphy finished 1 of 2 for seven yards. 

Should Ewers be forced to miss extended time with his injury, Murphy would be the next man up for Texas, despite former No. 1 overall recruit Arch Manning sitting on the depth chart as well. 

Murphy outright won the backup job behind Ewers following an excellent spring football performance, coupled with a great showing in spring football.

Sarkisian likes what he has seen in Murphy since Day 1, and raved about him after spring ball concluded. 

"When he really started to settle in, he has a natural ability to pass the football," Sarkisian said. "He's got great vision. When he pushes the ball down the field, it's natural. I think the sky is the limit for the guy."