Behren Morton injury update: MRI results negative for leg issue, status still undetermined vs Arizona State

Texas Tech received good news on the injury to quarterback Behren Morton on Sunday. On3’s Brett McMurphy reported that X-Rays on his right ankle came back negative and his status is considered day-to-day.

It’s still unclear as of this writing whether he will be available for a Week 8 matchup against Arizona State. However, Red Raiders fans can breathe a sigh of relief as it at least appears the injury is not too serious in nature.

Morton suffered the injury late in the second quarter of Saturday’s contest against Kansas after a Jayhawks lineman landed on his right ankle. The QB was in clear pain as he limped to the sidelines and attempted to jog it off. However, he was eventually taken back to the locker room with a frustrated look on his face just before halftime.

Morton emerged from the locker room in street clothes to start the second half and it was announced he was out the remainder of the game. Backup Will Hammond stepped up in his place to lead Texas Tech to a 42-17 victory. Hammond finished with 61 yards rushing and two touchdowns but was just 7-of-16 passing for 42 yards and an interception.

This isn’t the first time that Behren Morton has gone down with injury this season. He also left a game in Week 4 against Utah due to an upper body injury. Texas Tech had a bye the following week and Morton made his return from that injury in Week 6 against Houston.

Morton also suffered a leg injury in the season opener against Arkansas-Pine Bluff that forced him to sit the second half. Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire said the injury that occurred Saturday is to the same leg.

“We’ll see more tomorrow,” McGuire said postgame. “You kind of get initial read and everything of what it is, but we’ll see a lot more tomorrow. The great thing is, we have the best trainers in America. …So if they can play and get him ready for next Saturday, he’ll be on the field.”

So far this season, Morton has thrown for 1,501 yards and 13 touchdowns to three interceptions. He is a big part of the reason that the Red Raiders have one of the top offenses in the country, ranking first in yards per game (558.2) and second in points per game (47.5).

The QB will have less time to come back from this ailment, so his status will be worth monitoring throughout the week. The first update we receive will likely come Wednesday, when the weekly injury reports are required to be released. Kickoff against the Sun Devils is scheduled for 3 p.m. CT on Saturday in Tempe.