Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton to sit remainder of spring practice due to shoulder injury

There is some potential trouble burrowing in Lubbock, TX. On Wednesday, Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire announced that Behren Morton, his junior quarterback and starter for the upcoming 2024 season, would sit out the remainder of the Red Raiders’ spring practice schedule as he continues to recover from his shoulder injury from last season.

The bad news is that it significantly reduces the amount of time Morton and the offense will have together to develop chemistry on the field. During spring practices and fall camp, which will take place in August, is where most teams build their chemistry. However, on the bright side, Morton’s absence will allow McGuire and his coaching staff the opportunity to identify his backup for next season.

And given the Red Raiders quarterback injury woes over the past few seasons, identifying and establishing who their backup will be should Morton go down will be crucial to Texas Tech’s success in 2024.

Morton took over for Tyler Shough, who lost for the season with a broken left fibula. Ironically enough, a similar situation transpired in 2022 when Shough suffered another season-ending injury. That year, Morton played in nine games, completing 56.8 percent of his pass attempts for 1117 yards, seven touchdowns, and six interceptions.

In 2023, the junior quarterback would play a total of 10 games before going down with a shoulder injury, completing 62.1 percent of his pass attempts for 1757 yards, 15 touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Morton also had four rushing touchdowns to his name last season.

It doesn’t appear as if Morton’s injury is something for Red Raider fans to be fearful. While addressing his quarterback’s absence, McGuire explained that the decision was health-motivated more than anything else.

“First and foremost, if we were to play a game today, Behren Morton would be our starting quarterback. This decision was made in the best interest of Behren’s health going into next season [and] Behren will resume full football activities later this summer,” said McGuire.

Red Raider fans will get their chance to see what the offense absent Morton and defense will look like for the upcoming 2024 season when Texas Tech holds its annual spring game. That contest is set to take place on April 20 in Midland, TX, and is slated for a 1 p.m. CT kickoff. You can catch all the action via ESPN+ or stream on the ESPN app.