Texas got a brief scare last week when Colin Simmons limped off the field against UTSA and later showed up on the sideline in a walking boot on his right foot. But for now, the Longhorns are acting like their star edge rusher is more caution flag than crisis.
Head coach Steve Sarkisian already tried to calm things down after the game, saying Simmons "will be fine." On Monday, though, he made it clear he wasn’t interested in going back over the same ground when the topic came up again at the team’s weekly press conference.
"They have an injury report in the SEC, so that's enough of the injury questions," Sarkisian said.
That leaves Simmons’ status for Saturday’s trip to face No. 14 Tennessee in Knoxville still up in the air publicly, even if the early signs point toward him being available.
The first injury report for Texas-Tennessee is set for Wednesday evening at 7:10 p.m. CT, and Simmons’ name is likely to appear there.
What isn’t clear yet is the official designation.
Sarkisian’s comments after the UTSA game suggested Texas believes the issue is not major. He said, "I don't think Colin's (injury) is serious," and added, "It was more precautionary to get him out. ...
So we're down about three guys defensively, one on offense. Pretty significant players that hopefully start working their way back.
But again, I think Colin will be fine."
Texas enters SEC play at 3-0, with the comeback win over then-No. 1 Ohio State standing as the biggest result so far. Still, the margin for error gets a lot smaller now, especially if one of the team’s best defensive pieces is anything less than full strength.
Through three games, Simmons has totaled four tackles and two sacks. Whether he’s fully healthy or simply managed carefully, Texas appears prepared to treat his situation as a precaution rather than a long-term concern.
No. 1 Texas and No.
14 Tennessee will kick off from Neyland Stadium on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.
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