Texas Football: 4 key injured Longhorns players heading into TCU game

Quinn Ewers, QB

We wrote on the site earlier in the day that there is increasing optimism that Ewers will make his return to the lineup this weekend for the Longhorns against the Horned Frogs in Fort Worth. A report from Orangebloods noted that Ewers is “trending in the right direction” heading into the TCU game this weekend.

And while there is no guarantee that Ewers will start against TCU on Nov. 11, it sounds like his recovery is progressing in the last week. Sark upgraded Ewers’ status this week in his press conference from “week-to-week” to “day-to-day”.

Ewers is recovering from a shoulder injury he suffered in Week 8 in a narrow escape for the Longhorns against the Houston Cougars. Redshirt freshman quarterback Maalik Murphy started the last two games for Texas in Ewers’ absence, leading the Longhorns to a 2-0 record against Kansas State and BYU.

Murphy had his fair share of ups and downs as Texas’ starting quarterback in the last two weeks, including three interceptions and one fumble. But Murphy showed resilience when it mattered at times in the last two games against Kansas State and BYU. He led the Longhorns back to the game-tying field goal on a late fourth-quarter drive against the Wildcats.

Murphy also had a solid finish to the game in the last three quarters after two early turnovers against BYU.

What matters for Murphy is that he led Texas to a 2-0 record in his two starts in Ewers’ absence. But it also became clear coming out of the Kansas State win that Texas needs Ewers to reach championship heights this season.