Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers' oblique strain is not as severe as initially feared and his return to play is considered week-to-week, sources told ESPN's Pete Thamel on Sunday.
Ewers is likely to miss No. 1 Texas' game against UL Monroe on Saturday (8 p.m. ET, ESPN+), which would clear the way for freshman Arch Manning to make his first career start for the Longhorns.
There is no set timetable for his return from his abdominal injury, but sources said there is optimism after consulting with doctors. Orangebloods first reported that Ewers' status is week to week.
Ewers suffered the non-contact injury in the second quarter of Texas' 56-7 win over UTSA on Saturday night and did not return to the game. Manning replaced him and produced 223 passing yards, 53 rushing yards and five total touchdowns on nine drives.
Texas opens its SEC season at home against Mississippi State on Sept. 28 and then has a bye week before facing No. 15 Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry in Dallas on Oct. 12 and No. 2 Georgia on Oct. 19.
The Longhorns overtook Georgia and moved into the No. 1 spot in the AP poll on Sunday following the Bulldogs' narrow 13-12 win at Kentucky. This is the first time Texas has been ranked No. 1 in the poll since 2008.
