Inside Texas Today: Is it Sam Ehlinger's turn in Indy?
Welcome to Inside Texas Today! Each weekday morning, Inside Texas Today will provide the latest news and notes from around the Forty Acres, including notable events, player honors, and where to watch Longhorn sports that day.
Here’s the Friday, March 11, 2022 edition.
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Wentz is gone, is it Ehlinger’s turn?
After the Indianapolis Colts traded quarterback Carson Wentz, a second-round pick, and a seventh-round pick to the Washington Commanders for a second-round pick, a third-round pick, and a conditional third-round pick, the only quarterback remaining on the Colts’ depth chart is former Longhorn Sam Ehlinger.
Ehlinger, the Colts’ sixth-round pick in the 2021 draft, appeared in three games this season for Frank Reich with three rushes for nine yards. When Wentz was placed on the COVID-19 reserve list in late December while Indianapolis was in the playoff hunt, Indianapolis was prepared to start Ehlinger in the vital stretch of games.
The Colts have seven picks in the upcoming draft, with a second, two thirds, a fourth, a fifth, and two seventh-round picks. With a weak 2022 quarterback class, could Indianapolis spend one of their late-round picks on a quarterback to compete with Ehlinger? Could they bring in a veteran as a bridge before taking a signal-caller in 2023?
The Colts have a considerable amount of cap space this year, with over $70 million available. They also have newly acquired draft capital they could use to send to another franchise, like the San Francisco 49ers, for someone like Jimmy Garoppolo.
Between now and the draft, which begins on Thursday, April 28, Indianapolis could make a move that keeps Ehlinger as the second-stringer.
For now, he’s the No. 1 quarterback on the Colts roster.
Texas catcher suspended
According to the Austin American-Statesman’s Danny Davis, Texas catcher Preston Hoffart was suspended indefinitely after a video surfaced of him appearing to drink out of a flask during Tuesday’s road game at Texas State.
Hoffart, a Blinn transfer, is no longer listed on the Longhorn roster on TexasSports.com. He had not yet appeared in a game in 2022.
Texas viewing for 3/11
Track/Cross country – NCAA Indoor Championships – Birmingham, Ala. – Birmingham CrossPlex – all-day – ESPN3
Baseball – at South Carolina – Columbia, S.C. – Founders Park – 12 p.m. – SEC Network+
Women’s tennis – No. 34 Texas Tech – Austin, Texas – Weller Tennis Center – 3 p.m.
Softball – Drake – Austin, Texas – McCombs Field – 4 p.m. – Longhorn Network
Softball – Minnesota – Austin, Texas – McCombs Field – 6:30 p.m. – Longhorn Network
Women’s Basketball – Big 12 Tournament – Kansas State – Kansas City, Mo. – T-Mobile Center – 7:30 p.m. – ESPNU/ESPN+
