The latest injury report did Texas no favors heading into Saturday’s matchup with No. 7 Ole Miss.
Two names on the Longhorns’ side took a hit in the update: edge rusher Colin Simmons was listed as “out,” and running back Hollywood Smothers was downgraded to “doubtful.” Smothers has bounced on and off the availability report all season and is reportedly dealing with another lower-body injury ahead of the game.
Simmons’ absence had already been looming after he sprained an ankle against Florida in Week 7 and is expected to miss about a month. But Texas also losing Richard Wesley, who was listed as “out,” makes the defensive picture look even shakier. The true freshman has produced seven total tackles in four games, and reports around him have only added to the concern, with rumors saying he could be done for the year because of a high ankle sprain.
That leaves the Longhorns without two edge rushers who matter, which is a real problem for a defense that usually leans on its front to control the game.
Texas did get a few more names on the injury report beyond that group. Wide receiver Kaliq Lockett and offensive lineman Jaydon Chatman were listed as “questionable,” while freshman running back Derrek Cooper was listed as “probable.”
Ole Miss, though, brought its own long injury list into the matchup. The Rebels had eight players listed as out, plus two more marked questionable, which is the one bit of relief Texas can point to. Still, given the Longhorns’ losing streak, that injury edge doesn’t suddenly tilt the game their way.
A few spots stand out for Ole Miss. Three offensive linemen were either out or in doubt: Emanuel Faulkner was listed as out, while Terez Davis and Brycen Sanders were listed as questionable.
The Rebels are also thin in the secondary. Safeties Edwin Joseph, MJ Preston, and Nascar McCoy, along with cornerback Pat Broomfield, were all ruled out. That could create openings for Texas quarterback Arch Manning and his receiving corps if the Longhorns can take advantage.
Even with the betting line sitting at Texas -3.5, the injury report left the 40 Acres with more concern than comfort as Week 8 arrived.
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The Longhorns meet Ole Miss on Oct. 24 in a game scheduled for ABC, and the timing could hardly be worse for Texas. Its defense is already dealing with injuries to key players, which puts even more pressure on a unit trying to hold up against an offense featuring a runner it once passed on. For Texas, it is the kind of recruiting miss that can feel much bigger when the calendar finally circles back. [Read more 🡒]