Texas quarterback Arch Manning has been cleared from the injury report and will start against No. 9 Vanderbilt on Saturday, after spending the week in concussion protocol following an injury in last week’s overtime victory over Mississippi State.
In a thrilling overtime win against Mississippi State, Arch Manning was injured on the first play when he kept the ball on a run and took a heavy hit, causing his head to bounce off the turf. He was immediately helped off the field and entered the concussion protocol, raising concerns about his availability for the crucial SEC matchup with Vanderbilt. The injury occurred as Texas mounted a comeback from a 17-point deficit, with Manning playing a pivotal role before his exit.
Throughout the week, Manning’s status was uncertain, listed as questionable on Texas’ injury reports on Wednesday and Thursday. However, he returned to practice on Wednesday, and by Friday night, the SEC’s official injury report confirmed his removal, indicating he had been cleared by team doctors. This clearance followed strict adherence to concussion protocol, which includes specific steps for return-to-play evaluations.
Texas coach Steve Sarkisian emphasized the importance of following medical guidelines, stating that Manning was making good progress but that final clearance depended on daily assessments. “I don’t have anything beyond for Arch just because we have to follow the protocol of the days and the reps, but he’s making good progress,” Sarkisian said, highlighting the balance between player safety and team needs.
Before his injury, Manning delivered one of his best performances of the season, completing 29 of 46 passes for 346 yards and three touchdowns against Mississippi State. His fourth-quarter efforts were particularly impressive, as he threw for 169 yards to help erase the deficit and force overtime, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure.
When Manning left the game, graduate transfer Matthew Caldwell stepped in and threw the game-winning touchdown pass in overtime. Caldwell, who played at Troy last season and has experience from multiple schools, provides a reliable backup option for Texas, having thrown for 1,608 yards and 13 touchdowns in his college career.
The upcoming game against Vanderbilt is critical for both teams’ College Football Playoff hopes. Texas, with a 6-2 record, cannot afford another loss, especially with challenging games against No. 5 Georgia and No. 3 Texas A&M remaining. Vanderbilt, at 7-1, is also in a tight race, and a loss could hurt their chances of making the SEC title game and the playoff.
Manning, a preseason Heisman Trophy favorite, has thrown for 1,795 yards and 15 touchdowns this season, but consistency has been an issue. His return is essential for Texas’ offensive stability as they face the toughest part of their schedule in November, with every game carrying significant postseason implications.
The game is scheduled for noon ET on ABC and is one of the key matchups of Week 10. Manning’s health and performance will be closely watched, as a win could boost Texas’ playoff aspirations, while a loss might derail their season. This showdown highlights the intensity of SEC football and the high stakes involved in late-season games.