AUSTIN, TEXAS (AP) - Texas quarterback Garrett Gilbert, who lost his starting job after the second game, will miss the rest of the season for the No. 19 Longhorns after having surgery on his right throwing shoulder.
Gilbert was hurt in the first game against Rice but the injury was not disclosed until Tuesday, the day he had surgery. Gilbert started the next game against BYU, was pulled in the second quarter and demoted to third string last week.
“He had symptoms, but was not affected in practice leading up to BYU. After that, it got progressively worse,” Texas athletic trainer Kenny Boyd said.
Doctors examined the shoulder again last week and recommended surgery, Boyd said, adding Gilbert is expected to make a full recovery.
Gilbert said he opted for surgery now, “so I can get it taken care of, start my rehab and be healthy and ready to go for next year.”
Gilbert’s surgery leaves Texas (3-0) with just two scholarship quarterbacks on the roster: sophomore starter Case McCoy and freshman David Ash, who has already received significant playing time. Redshirt freshman Connor Wood, who was No. 4 after training camp, transferred to Colorado.
Gilbert, a junior, did not play in Texas’ 49-20 win over UCLA, the Longhorns’ return trip to the Rose Bowl where they lost to Alabama in the 2010 BCS championship game.
Gilbert played a big role in the loss to Alabama, coming off the bench as freshmen in the first quarter in relief of injured starter Colt McCoy. Gilbert threw four interceptions but rallied Texas with two second-half touchdown passes before Alabama pulled away late.
Gilbert was the starter for the 2010 season when Texas fell to 5-7 and missed a bowl game for the first time since 1997. He won a four-way battle for the starting job in training camp, but was pulled from the BYU game after throwing two first-quarter interceptions. He was 7-7 in his career as a starter.
Texas’ next game is Oct. 1 at Iowa State.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.