Arch Manning delivered one of his most complete performances in a Texas uniform on Saturday, leading the No. 6 Longhorns to a 38-7 rout of San Jose State.
The star quarterback accounted for five total touchdowns and nearly 300 yards of offense, bouncing back from a rough outing the week prior at Ohio State. Yet, his afternoon wasn’t without intrigue, as broadcast replays appeared to capture Manning in pain after throwing.
People are speculating that Arch Manning is secretly dealing with a shoulder injury and trying to play through the pain.
You can see a few clips of him from yesterday grimacing in pain after throwing. pic.twitter.com/YJDbu9AwSU
— JPA (@jasrifootball) September 7, 2025
On one misfire to Ryan Wingo, Manning clearly favoring his shoulder. He was asked afterward and dismissed the notion of an injury, saying, “Nah, no, I’ve got to make that throw.” Sarkisian, too, downplayed the matter, saying he was unaware of any issue. But given Manning’s family name and the spotlight he carries, the images have fueled speculation about whether his accuracy inconsistencies were linked to being hurt.
Manning came out sharp and added a 20-yard touchdown run that showcased his mobility and composure outside the pocket. He spread the ball to seven receivers, with wideout Parker Livingstone emerging as the top target, finishing with 128 yards and two scores.
Steve Sarkisian praised Manning’s great play, while also noting areas for growth. Manning himself described the outing as “sloppy,” pointing to turnovers and a handful of missed throws, including a costly interception near the end zone.
Texas has two more non-conference matchups before SEC play begins at Florida on Oct. 4. Manning’s development remains under the microscope, particularly with NFL evaluators who are tracking his progression. The five-touchdown showing reestablished confidence, but the question of an injury might come up. Until Texas addresses it directly, it’s an unknown.
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