A difficult season for the Texas Longhorns became even more complex on Saturday.
With rumors of Steve Sarkisian’s NFL departure swirling, and the program struggling to overcome the Mississippi State Bulldogs in Week 9, an injury to starting quarterback Arch Manning piled even further misery onto a team that expected much coming into the year, but has delivered little. What is the latest news on Manning as the team prepares for its clash with Vanderbilt?
Will Arch Manning Play vs. Vanderbilt in Week 10?
Meeting with the media at the start of a pivotal week for the program, Texas head coach Sarkisian was guarded while providing an update on Manning. The Longhorns’ starter didn’t practice on Monday and is currently in the concussion protocol.
“He’s in protocol right now,” Sarkisian told the media, as reported by USATODAY.com. Under concussion protocol regulations, Manning will have to undergo a five-step process before he can return to play that involves being cleared by the Texas team physician and an independent neurologist.
“We’ll have more information as the week goes on,” Sarkisian added, failing to provide a timeline for Manning ahead of a crucial home game against the Commodores. Both teams are ranked going into the contest, and Texas carries aspirations of reaching the SEC Championship Game despite some setbacks along the way this season.
A preseason favorite, the Longhorns are now viewed as an outside bet for the SEC title, with the PFSN College Football Playoff Meter giving them a 5.6% chance of getting to Atlanta, a 1.9% chance of winning the conference crown, and a 15.3% probability of reaching the College Football Playoff.
How Did Manning Get Injured?
During their overtime drive, the Longhorns’ quarterback tried to rush towards the Mississippi 10-yard line, but he was taken down, and subsequently took a hit to the head. He exited the game and did not return.
Texas QB Arch Manning was helped to the medical tent in OT.
Matthew Caldwell is in at quarterback. pic.twitter.com/8qcl6zHzW9
— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) October 26, 2025
This season, Manning has a 60% completion rate. After being labeled as one of the frontrunners for the Heisman, he has underperformed significantly. Sitting at 68th overall on the season, the Longhorn’s quarterback has a QB impact rate of 77.8.
The quarterback dropped one of his best performances of the season before his injury. During the game, Manning threw for 29/46 completions, three touchdowns, 346 yards, and rushed for a score as he led the Longhorns to a comeback.
This included a 24-point fourth quarter. The Longhorns were down 31-14 at one point; however, Manning managed to steer them into overtime.
Trainers and head coach Steve Sarkisian came out to tend to Manning. After walking off the field, there was movement toward the medical tent. Backup Matthew Caldwell entered the game, tasked with getting Texas into the end zone to open overtime.
In his first drive, Caldwell took over the Longhorns’ offense. He threw a single pass, which ended up being the game-winner. After a 10-yard pass to Emett Mosley V, the Longhorns’ defense managed to shut out Mississippi to win the game.
Caldwell, a senior, has mostly appeared at the end of games for the Longhorns. Tonight’s game winner was his first touchdown of the season for Texas after joining from the Troy Trojans. He threw for 1,608 yards and 13 touchdowns last year.
During the drive, Manning appeared to be awake and conscious, as it was reported by the play-by-play announcer that he had emerged from the tent to watch Caldwell’s drive.
Am I the only person wondering how that helmet to the head was not targeting?