Texas Heads To Missouri With A Lineup Problem Fans Will Feel

The Texas Longhorns are grappling with a wave of injuries that could impact their performance against the Missouri Tigers, putting the spotlight on the depth of their roster.

Texas is heading into Saturday’s trip to Missouri with a long injury list and plenty of uncertainty around some of its biggest names.

When the SEC released its initial injury report Wednesday night for the Longhorns’ matchup with the Tigers in Columbia, five Texas starters showed up as questionable, while several others were already ruled out. The biggest concern is at receiver and cornerback, where Texas could be missing both of its top wideouts and two starting defensive backs.

Cam Coleman and Ryan Wingo are listed as questionable at wide receiver, while Graceson Littleton and Kade Phillips are questionable at cornerback. Defensive end Colin Simmons is also questionable to open the week, though earlier reports had pointed to a possible return after he missed two games with an ankle injury.

Texas has already ruled out Trevor Goosby at offensive tackle, Hollywood Smothers at running back, Richard Wesley at defensive end and Nick Townsend at tight end.

Head coach Steve Sarkisian said he understands the Longhorns may not be at full strength, but he believes the next wave of players is ready for the moment. He specifically pointed to Warren Roberson and Samari Matthews after both were forced into bigger roles last week.

"You look at last week's game with some of the injuries that occurred in the secondary, I was really proud of Warren Roberson," Sarkisian said. "He played over 50 snaps in the game.

I was really proud of Samari Matthews. I think he played 39 snaps in the game.

So those were just first snapshots of guys that were getting put into real action and having to step up."

Texas and Missouri are scheduled to kick off at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday in Columbia.

In Other News...

Texas Just Lost A Backfield Piece It Couldnt Afford To Lose

Texas backfield has already been stretched thin this season, and now it looks like the Longhorns will have to finish the year without Hollywood Smothers. He was ruled out for the upcoming game against Missouri, and the expectation is that he will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after injuries have repeatedly limited his availability.

Smothers absence is a tough blow for a running back group that has already had to adjust on the fly, with Raleek Brown stepping into a larger role during his time out. For Texas, the issue is no longer just replacing a player who flashed when healthy, but trying to keep the ground game steady without one of the pieces it was counting on most. [Read more 🡒]

Texas Faces A New Receiver Battle After Missing On Top Target

Texas is already shifting its attention to the next wave of wide receiver recruiting after missing on Brysen Wright, a loss that adds another wrinkle to a class the Longhorns are trying to build early. The 2028 board is still taking shape, but the staff is clearly working to keep momentum in Texas and beyond, especially with several promising pass catchers already in the mix.

Among the names drawing the most attention are Mays, a highly ranked Texas native, and Wiley, who has shown strong interest in the Longhorns. The challenge now is familiar for Texas: keeping pace with regional rivals like Texas Tech, Texas A&M and Oklahoma while making sure the next receiver battle does not slip away the way the last one did. [Read more 🡒]

Texas Just Lost A Key Rushing Threat At The Worst Time

Texas has already been juggling its backfield all season, and now it has to finish the year without one of its most experienced options. Senior running back Hollywood Smothers is out for the remainder of the season after tearing an MCL in the win over Mississippi State, a blow that comes just as the Longhorns are trying to keep their offense steady down the stretch.

Smothers had battled injuries throughout the year, but he still ranked second on the team in rushing yards before going down. His absence removes a proven runner from the rotation and leaves Texas preparing for Missouri without one of the few backs who had managed to provide both experience and production when available. [Read more 🡒]