It never feels good to see the name of your starting quarterback and the word "surgery" in the same news release.
When reports came out that Texas quarterback Arch Manning had undergone foot surgery, it caused an immediate knot in the stomachs of Longhorn fans everywhere. However, if they kept reading, they would learn that there was no need to panic.
Manning reportedly underwent a "minor foot surgery this week as a preventative measure to address a previous injury" and would be limited in off-season practices for a few weeks to follow.
Arch Manning's surgery won't affect the 2026 season
This by no means is to say that Manning will fully miss any practices this spring, over the summer, or heading into the 2026 season.
Elite athletes in any sport go through preventative care all the time. This is simply to hedge the odds of whatever minor issue was affecting Manning's foot doesn't become an actual problem further down the line.
In the same report that broke the news of Manning's operation, Inside Texas writer Joe Cook also shared that the Horns' QB1 is expected to be back to full speed by the time that spring ball starts in a few weeks.
Arch Manning underwent minor foot surgery this week as a preventative measure to address a previous injury, per a UT spokesman. He will be limited during off-season workouts but is expected back during spring football.
— Inside Texas (@InsideTexas) January 23, 2026
FULL STORY (FREE): https://t.co/WvvhnCmZqZ pic.twitter.com/ZEK7JXYgFr
Unlike the repeat injuries that Texas has grown accustomed to for its QB1s (i.e., Quinn Ewers' consistent shoulder and oblique issues), Manning has stayed incredibly healthy through his first full year as the Longhorns' starting quarterback.
Other than a concussion, which he suffered against the Mississippi State Bulldogs, Manning has kept himself healthy and whole, and never ended up missing any games because of the concussion anyway.
At 6-foot-4 and 219 pounds, Manning is a big college quarterback, holding two inches and 10 pounds on Ewers, who has already spent a season in the NFL. He even has an inch on Sam Ehlinger, who was viewed as a big-frame quarterback while he was playing for the Horns.
Manning's frame and football IQ have worked hand-in-hand to keep him safe on the field, even when he tries to (unnecessarily) gain an extra yard or so on a quarterback keeper.
The Longhorns' quarterback is set up for success in 2026, and foot surgery or not, the world should start to take notice that Manning's season is officially upon us.