Steve Sarkisian explains decision to start Quinn Ewers vs. TCU

No. 7 Texas is back in business this week with the announcement that QB Quinn Ewers will be returning to the lineup in Fort Worth.

After sharing that news on Thursday, Steve Sarkisian addressed the team’s decision to bring him back. To him, Ewers has been handling his business to reach this point in his rehab. That led to a seamless transition back into practice that showed and told Sarkisan and the staff everything that they wanted to see and hear.

“I think it started, really, coming out of the Houston game. I thought his approach to the injury was very professional,” said Sarkisian. “He did the work needed from a rehab standpoint, he stayed very engaged with the team and with us offensively.

“He was wearing the headset in-game on the sideline – hearing the play calls, hearing the adjustments,” Sarkisian continued. “So, when he really came back to practice this week, when he was really practicing? It didn’t feel like there was a lot of rust, not only physically but mentally.”

That all led to a solid few days back on the field from Ewers that made Sarkisian feel good about giving him the green light.

“I thought he got stronger as the week went on of really throwing the ball. He went out the last two days and I didn’t feel like there was a throw he couldn’t make. He made all the throws in a very comfortable fashion,” said Sarkisian. “I thought he managed the game plan really well.”

Through seven appearances this season, Ewers completed 70.9% of his passes for just under 2,000 yards, 13 touchdowns, and three interceptions. It was at that point, though, that he left his last outing against the Cougars with a shoulder injury.

Since then, it has been Maalik Murphy who has been trying to hold it down for the Longhorn offense. In a pair of wins over BYU and Kansas State, he completed 57.7% of his passes for 418 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions.

However, Ewers is back on track for Texas’ trip to Amon G. Carter Stadium this weekend. That’s great new for the Longhorns in the midst of a continued push in the Big 12 and for the College Football Playoff and less than ideal news for TCU come Saturday night.

More on Sarkisian announcing Ewers’ return for Texas

Texas received some great news on Thursday: QB Quinn Ewers will be back and starting against TCU on Saturday per Steve Sarkisian.

Ewers has been hurt with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder since Texas’ win at Houston on Oct. 21.

Now, the Longhorns should have their regular starting quarterback available against the final three regular season opponents — and more. If he can pick back up where he left off? Texas remains a legit contender during the rest of the season.