Texas just got some tough news on its injury report ahead of Saturday’s road trip to Kentucky. Starting center Cole Hutson is officially listed as OUT after being banged up during the Longhorns’ Red River Rivalry victory over Oklahoma. Hutson had been steering the ship for an offensive line that finally found its rhythm against the Sooners. He dominated a front seven that ranked first in the nation in total defense through six weeks. 

Head coach Steve Sarkisian addressed the situation during his weekly SEC coaches teleconference, saying, “Hopefully he is not out very long,” and clarifying that while the injury isn’t season-ending, Hutson “will miss some time.” For a Texas team that’s dealt with offensive line chaos all season, this feels like another setback at the worst possible time.​

But here’s where things get interesting, and maybe even a little bit fortunate for Arch Manning and the Longhorns’ offense. The guy stepping in for Hutson is junior Connor Robertson. The 6-foot-4, 312-pound center from Austin Westlake has been Arch Manning’s backup center all season. And he just so happens to have developed serious chemistry with the star quarterback. Sarkisian didn’t hold back when talking about Robertson’s readiness to fill in, saying, “He has really good rapport with Arch, they are really close… He has been in the system. There is not a look or a call that he can’t make to get everybody on the same page.”

That rapport comment is crucial because Arch Manning has struggled all season when the offensive line hasn’t given him time. He was sacked six times against Florida in a brutal 29-21 loss on October 4, throwing two interceptions in one of his worst performances of the year. The fact that Robertson already has a strong relationship with Arch Manning could actually smooth things over during a rough transition period.​

Hutson’s been the anchor for this offensive line since taking over the starting center job. And losing him is a legitimate blow for Texas’s 4-2 squad that’s trying to get back into College Football Playoff contention. The junior from Frisco has dealt with injury issues before. He missed time in 2023 with a knee injury but started all 13 games during the 2024 season. 

Robertson isn’t some inexperienced backup being thrown into the fire, though. The junior has appeared in 23 games over his Texas career. He earned his first career start this season against Sam Houston State when Hutson was dealing with an earlier injury issue. Robertson was named to the 2023 Academic All-Big 12 First Team and was part of the Joe Moore Award semifinalist offensive line in 2023. 

When he stepped in against Sam Houston, he struggled early with two penalties on the opening drive. But he eventually found his rhythm and helped Texas roll to a 55-0 blowout. The coaching staff has been cross-training Connor Stroh at center to build depth. But it seems like Robertson is clearly the guy Sarkisian trusts most, and the fact that he’s “been in the system” and knows all the calls means there shouldn’t be major communication breakdowns.​

Is Manning hurt or just struggling?

While Robertson’s chemistry with Arch Manning could solve some of Texas’s offensive line issues, there’s another question that keeps popping up. Is Arch actually healthy?

 FOX Sports analyst Matt Leinart became the latest to weigh in during a recent appearance on Pardon My Take. And he talked about his concerns about the sophomore quarterback’s mechanics and body language. “I wonder if he’s hurt at all, dealing with anything,” Leinart said. “It didn’t look right a couple of weeks in a row there. Again, I don’t know what’s going on in that locker room, but the kid’s going to be fine.” 

The speculation started after Texas defeated San Jose State in Week 2. In that game, Manning appeared to grimace while throwing. His awkward footwork, plus occasional sidearm deliveries, only fueled the theories that he might be playing through something. Coming off that brutal Florida loss with six sacks in a 29-21 loss, and just his form in general, has people wondering if there’s more going on than just normal growing pains.​

Steve Sarkisian has repeatedly denied any injury concerns, even getting snippy with reporters about it. He even joked about it back in September, “I’ve never filmed any of you guys when you’re using the restroom. So, I don’t know what faces you make when you’re doing that.” The injury report does not have Manning’s name on it, which puts the rumors to rest for now.