Arch Manning injury: Tim Tebow encourages Texas to 'err on the side of protecting the kid'

SEC Nation is in Austin this weekend for a Top-20 matchup between No. 9 Vanderbilt and No. 20 Texas. That said, in a game that should feature two of the biggest-name quarterbacks in the sport, let alone the conference, the Longhorns don’t know if they’ll have theirs playing yet, or if he should be playing at all, due to the status of Arch Manning.

On ‘The Paul Finebaum Show’ from The 40 Acres on Friday, Tim Tebow and Roman Harper discussed Manning still being in concussion protocol coming into the weekend for Texas. Tebow took the opportunity to tell the Longhorns to really consider what’s best for Manning, pending where he actually is in the protocol going into kickoff tomorrow against the Commodores.

“Well, I think you’re talking about Arch, who’s a really tough player; he’s a physical player. I’m sure that he wants to play, but Roman says this a lot and I think it’s really important, especially with any form of concussion, brain injury – sometimes, you’ve got to protect the player against himself,” Tebow said. “And, if he’s ready to go, then absolutely, let him go. But, if he’s not and he wants to, then I would need someone to protect me against myself, and do what’s best for the player first rather than what is best just to get another W.

“This isn’t the same as John Mateer and a hand injury. It’s different. You’re talking about the brain, and we’re learning more and more every single year, and just how important it is to not have that second concussion, not having that big hit after it and letting him have the time to recover. You know, I know he’s super tough and he wants to play for this team. But, if it’s close, I think you’ve got to err on the side of protecting the kid.”

With Tebow having cited something his co-host has said in the past, Harper obviously agreed with him on sitting Manning if need be on Saturday. He also noted that Matthew Caldwell is a factor in this, as Texas’ backup quarterback has played well when he has come in off the sideline. For example, Caldwell did just that a week ago, once Manning left with this issue, helping the team to their comeback, overtime win in Starkville.

“I agree. And, I saw him walking out of the complex yesterday when I was going in there to do an interview with Anthony Hill. He looked happy – smiling, moving around. So, there’s no telling what that means. It means absolutely nothing. But, we’ll see,” Harper said. “But, I would also say, Texas’ backup has played fine. Whenever he’s been called in, he’s completed passes – and stepped up big last week. So, you know, is that going to be the reason why you say Texas can’t beat Vanderbilt? I don’t think that’s the reason why.”

To this point, Manning remains questionable for tomorrow’s game due to the injury. That’s per both releases so far this week of the SEC Availability Report, with another set to come out tonight on Friday.

Manning may very well be able to play tomorrow afternoon against Vandy. But, he may also not yet be still, with Tebow and Harper saying how much that does need to be considered by Texas, even in what’s a must-win game tomorrow for them back in DKR.