Texas QB Shane Buechele takes over for bloodied Sam Ehlinger
The Texas Longhorns had to swap quarterbacks on Saturday after starter Sam Ehlinger was bloodied during the game against Baylor.
Ehlinger appeared to bloody his throwing hand during the first quarter against the Bears, though there was added speculation that trainers were also looking at something else. TV cameras also caught him bleeding from the nose before his exit, and others observed that he seemed to be having trouble with his shoulder.
Sam Ehlinger headed to the locker room. Left the game with a bloody hand. Under Buechele, #Texas gets a FG, 40 yards for a 3-0 lead. #Hookem @KVUE
— Stacy Slayden (@StacyS_KVUE) October 13, 2018
I'm not sure they are just looking at blood on Ehlinger's hand. The trainer wasn't holding it like it was a blood issue.
— Geoff Ketchum (@gkketch) October 13, 2018
Ehlinger on the sidelines with the headset on and a bandage on his hand…
Not thinking it’s the hand that’s keeping him out. Walking stiff and no shoulder swing. Odd.
— Charlie (@CharlieS_TFB) October 13, 2018
Ehlinger emerged with his hand bandaged and put on a headset, leaving his helmet off. Backup Shane Buechele played out the entire first quarter, with no sign of Ehlinger’s imminent return.
End of 1Q: Texas will open the 2Q with about a 35-yard FG attempt. Ehlinger and his stitched up hand is back on the sideline, but Buechele has the wheel. Baylor 7, Texas 3.
— Brian Davis (@BDavisAAS) October 13, 2018
The injury was to Ehlinger’s throwing hand, so it may be that he simply cannot throw the football with it bandaged or stitched up like it is. As of the end of the first quarter, the Longhorns had made no official announcement regarding his status. It’s unfortunate timing, just one week removed from his biggest win at Texas starter.