Arch Manning ‘doesn’t have any’ pain while throwing despite grimace, Steve Sarkisian says

Texas quarterback Arch Manning is not dealing with any pain when he throws, coach Steve Sarkisian said on Monday, two days following the Longhorns’ 38-7 win over San Jose State.

With just under four minutes to go in the second quarter of Texas’ home opener, ESPN cameras showed Manning appearing to grimace as he released a pass over the middle intended for receiver Ryan Wingo. The pass attempt, which traveled roughly 23 yards in the air, bounced into the turf near Wingo’s feet for an incompletion. Wingo was open, and Manning did not have any defenders or imminent pressure in his face.

When asked after the game whether he was dealing with any pain, Manning said, “Nah, no, I’ve got to make that throw. He was open, ran a good dig route, so I’ve got to make that throw.”

Arch, if your shoulder is hurting that bad when you throw, gtfo off the field pic.twitter.com/u3rw60Xn7s

— Footballholics (@Footballholics2) September 6, 2025

Before Manning spoke Saturday, Sarkisian was asked about Manning’s grimace and whether the quarterback was dealing with something and Sarkisian said “I don’t know. News to me.” When a reporter on Monday began a question to Sarkisian by saying that it seemed that Manning had “throwing pains,” Sarkisian shot back, “According to who?”

“Arch,” the reporter said.

“Arch said that to you?” Sarkisian asked.

“No,” the reporter said.

“According to who?” Sarkisian asked again.

“It just looked like he was … ” the reporter said.

“He doesn’t have any,” Sarkisian said, shaking his head.

Asked whether there was an explanation for the face Manning made, Sarkisian said, “I don’t know. I’ve never filmed any of you guys when you’re using the bathroom, so I don’t know what faces you make when you’re doing that.”

Sarkisian on if Arch Manning had any shoulder problems 😂 pic.twitter.com/VOGnKCpkj4

— Nash (@NashTalksTexas) September 8, 2025

Manning was asked on Saturday whether the face he made when he threw is normal. “Yeah, probably so,” Manning said. “I don’t even know.”

ESPN analyst and former NFL quarterback Jesse Palmer, who called Saturday’s game alongside Joe Tessitore, commented on Manning’s mechanics shortly after the incompletion to Wingo, pointing out that Manning’s feet were too far apart before he set to throw.

“We talked about mechanics, that keeps coming up,” Palmer said on the broadcast. “That time, poor mechanics by Manning. His feet were way too spread apart when he let go of that football, and that forced it to nosedive on him.”

Manning’s early-season performances have been subject to heavy scrutiny as he settles into the full-time starting quarterback role for the first time in his career. Manning, the No. 1 prospect in the 2023 recruiting class, had an underwhelming 2025 debut in Texas’ 14-7 loss to reigning national champion Ohio State. He was 17-of-30 passing for 170 yards with one touchdown and one interception in Columbus.

Manning had a much stronger performance in the win over the Spartans, completing 19 of 30 passes for 312 yards, four touchdowns and an interception. He also ran for a touchdown in the win. After the game, Sarkisian praised Manning’s play and work leading up to the game. Manning called his performance “sloppy” and said “I’ve got to continue to get better.”

(Photo: Scott Wachter / Imagn Images)