Texas got a small but important bit of good news Wednesday night as it turned in its initial SEC injury report for Saturday’s home game against Florida.
After the Longhorns’ 27-24 loss to Oklahoma in Dallas last week, there was plenty of attention on health this week, and for good reason. Texas can’t afford many more bumps with a second loss already on the board. The report showed offensive lineman Jaydon Chatman as the only player ruled out.
That left one lingering question answered in Texas’ favor: cornerback Bo Mascoe is not on the report at all.
Mascoe had missed Monday’s practice because of a minor injury, according to Eric Henry of Horns247, which naturally created some early-week concern about his availability. But since he was not listed in any capacity on the injury report, he appears set to play Saturday morning against the Gators, barring any setbacks during warmups.
That matters for Texas, especially after seeing what happened in pregame before the Ohio State game, when defensive lineman Justus Terry - who was listed as probable on the initial report and should be set to make his return after a four-game absence - suffered a foot injury before kickoff.
With Florida quarterback Aaron Philo listed as a game-time decision because of a shoulder injury, Texas still needs to be as close to full strength as possible on defense. Keeping Mascoe available is a good step in that direction.
Mascoe came to Austin as one of the top cornerbacks in the portal last offseason and quickly showed why against Ohio State. Matching up with Buckeyes star receiver Jeremiah Smith, he gave up no catches on four targets in a game where the rest of the Texas defense struggled to slow Smith down.
He also erased Smith on two separate third-down plays in the fourth quarter, including one stop at the goal line that kept a touchdown off the board.
Through this season, Mascoe has recorded nine total tackles, seven of them solo, along with three passes defended.
No. 7 Texas and Florida are set to kick off in Austin on Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.
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