Arch Manning injury update: Texas QB still in concussion protocol, practiced Wednesday

Texas might be walking into Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium without two key players dressed out. Both quarterback Arch Manning and Michael Taaffe are dealing with injuries at the moment. And with Vanderbilt coming to town, their status is a major focal point heading in.

Steve Sarkisian provided the latest update when speaking on the SEC Coaches Teleconference. Both guys practiced on Wednesday, possibly a good sign. Even so, Manning remains in concussion protocol after taking a big hit against Mississippi State.

“They both practiced here today,” Sarkisian said. “Arch is obviously still in protocol. There’s steps as it pertains to protocol. But Michael has practiced the last two days.”

Taaffe is dealing with a thumb injury, something that required surgery after the Kentucky win. No timeline was given at the time, meaning Taaffe might be able to miss just one game. However, Texas does take a bye week after Vanderbilt. Some extra time might be needed before heading to Athens.

As for Manning, if he cannot play, Matthew Caldwell gets the nod. This would be the fourth straight season Sarkisian has called upon a backup to replace an injured starter. Manning continues to go with protocol, likely learning more about his status on Wednesday afternoon when the injury report is released.

More on Texas backups replacing injured starters

Not many programs would survive needing to use a backup quarterback this often. Quinn Ewers suffered injuries long enough to keep him out of multiple games in 2022, 2023, and 2024. Manning watching from the sidelines would make it a fourth straight season.

Of course, he was the guy to replace Ewers last year. Texas got through nonconference play plus the Mississippi State game with Manning as the starter. The year prior, Maalik Murphy got the Longhorns two crucial Big 12 wins to keep College Football Playoff chances alive. Back in 2022, when Ewers got injured during the Alabama game, Hudson Card played before Ewers returned to face Oklahoma in the Red River Shootout.

In total, Card is the only one of the group to take a loss as the interim starter. Texas dropped an overtime game in Lubbock to Texas Tech after being up 31-17. Murphy won an overtime game of his own in 2023, taking down a ranked Kansas State.

Caldwell very well might be the guy who trots out with the first-team offense Saturday. He is hoping to find the same kind of success as others if he does.