Tom Herman says Texas QB Sam Ehlinger is progressing on schedule

On Saturday, the Texas Longhorns (6-1, 4-0) had to outlast the Baylor Bears (4-3, 2-2) largely without starting quarterback Sam Ehlinger.

The sophomore exited the game during the opening drive with what appeared to be a simple need for stitches to a bleeding right hand, but after jogging to the locker room, Ehlinger returned to the sidelines and remained there throughout the rest of Texas’ 23-17 win, favoring an apparent shoulder injury. After the game, and MRI revealed that Ehlinger suffered a Grade 1 AC sprain — the most minor — and per Texas head coach Tom Herman, Ehlinger was expected to begin throwing later this week.

On Tuesday, Herman addressed the media and provided a positive update to that end.

“Sam is progressing. Pretty much right on schedule,” Herman said. “Three treatments a day. Pain is way down. Range of motion is up.”

Texas is currently on its bye week and will return to the field on Saturday, Oct. 27 on the road against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The ideal date to keep in mind here as it pertains to Ehlinger’s potential return in time for the Longhorns Big 12 showdown with the Pokes is Tuesday, Oct. 23, as that’s when Texas will begin to install its game plan for Oklahoma State.

In Ehlinger’s absence, junior Shane Buechele made his first in-game appearance since the Texas Bowl, completing 20-of-34 attempts for 184 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

Elsewhere on the injury front, Herman said that junior B-Backer Jeffery McCulloch was involved in a single-car accident on Tuesday after his car hydroplaned and hit a light pole. Herman added that McCulloch was taken to the hospital with neck soreness and released and will received a CT scan in the near future.

“All early indications are that he should be OK,” Herman said. “He hydroplaned and hit a light pole. Single-car accident and want to make sure everything is OK.”

McCulloch made his first career start earlier this season in a win over Kansas State after junior Malcom Roach went down with a season-ending foot injury, but in the weeks since, he hasn’t been utilized quite as consistently as Texas has implemented its lighting dime package to match the pass-happy offenses of Oklahoma and Baylor.

However, his presence has been felt to the tune of 15 tackles and three tackles for loss.