QB Behren Morton won’t return for No. 9 Texas Tech against Kansas after apparent lower leg injury

LUBBOCK, Texas (AP) — Texas Tech quarterback Behren Morton exited the No. 9 Red Raiders’ game against Kansas and won’t return after appearing to injure his lower right leg when he was sacked in the second quarter.

Morton pounded the turf after getting his legs caught under Leroy Harris III on the sack. The school said at halftime Morton was out for the game. He limped to the Texas Tech sideline in street clothes to start the second half.

The injury to Morton came on third down, so the offense was coming off the field anyway. He appeared to argue with the medical staff before backup Will Hammond went out for Texas Tech’s next series, which ended after three plays.

Hammond threw an interception on of the next possession, and the Red Raiders punted twice more before halftime. Texas Tech led 21-0 when Morton was injured but gave up the final 17 points of the first half.

It’s the third time this season Morton has exited a game with an injury and not returned. He hyperextended his right knee in a 67-7 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff in the season opener and was sidelined in a 34-10 win over Utah after taking a hard hit to the head.

It was the second significant injury of the first half for the Red Raiders.

Defensive tackle Skyler Gill-Howard, one of several transfers who have turned Texas Tech’s front seven into one of the best units in the country, was carted off in the first quarter with an air cast on his lower left leg.

Gill-Howard, who came from Northern Illinois, collided with defensive end Charles Esters on a running play. He returned to the sideline with a walking boot.

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