Texas had already slipped into a rough afternoon against Florida, and then the Longhorns got hit with another problem in the fourth quarter.
Defensive end Colin Simmons went down with what appeared to be a lower-body injury and stayed on the turf in clear pain. He removed his helmet, then needed assistance from the training staff to get off the field. After spending a few minutes in the medical tent, he was carted back to the Texas locker room.
At the time, the game was tied 17-17, and Florida’s offense was controlling the matchup against the Texas defense.
Simmons had been one of Texas’ most active players before leaving. He finished with eight total tackles, four tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and one sack.
The injury is the latest concern around a player who had already dealt with a different issue earlier in the year. In the win over UTSA, Simmons came out in the second half and was later seen on the sideline in a boot. He had the bye week to recover before Texas headed to Knoxville, and that prior injury didn’t slow him down there, as he posted a career-high 5.5 sacks in the win over Tennessee.
This one, though, looks far more serious. Texas could feel the impact immediately if Simmons is forced to miss time, and his status also carries bigger NFL implications. If healthy, Simmons is viewed as a potential Top-10 pick next spring in the 2027 NFL Draft.
For now, there’s no clarity on the exact injury or how long he might be sidelined. An update from head coach Steve Sarkisian will likely have to wait.
If Simmons does miss games, it would be a major loss for a Texas team that has looked nothing like the squad that was once ranked No. 1 in the country before last week’s brutal loss to Oklahoma.
Simmons enters the uncertainty with 10.5 sacks on the season. In three years at Texas, he has piled up 31.5 sacks, eight forced fumbles and an interception. His standout resume also includes winning the Shaun Alexander Award in 2023, given annually to the best freshman in college football.
In Other News...
Texas May Have A Colin Simmons Problem They Can't Afford
Colin Simmons left Texas with an apparent leg injury in the fourth quarter against Florida, and the scene was enough to quiet a sideline that has come to lean heavily on its best pass rusher. He had to be helped off the field before being taken for further evaluation, a troubling development for a defense that has built so much of its edge around his ability to get after the quarterback.
Simmons has been the centerpiece of Texas pass rush and leads the nation in sacks, which is exactly why any concern around his health carries so much weight for the Longhorns. If the injury lingers, Texas may have to confront a depth issue in a hurry, because replacing a player who changes protection plans and wrecks drives is easier said than done. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Suddenly Has A Colin Simmons Problem Fans Will Fear
Colin Simmons gave Texas everything it could ask for before the game turned in the fourth quarter against Florida. The star edge rusher had already piled up eight tackles, four tackles for loss and a sack when he went down with a lower-body injury, a moment that immediately changed the feel of the Longhorns defense and left the sideline waiting to see what came next.
Simmons absence was felt right away, with Florida taking the lead on a field goal while he was off the field for further examination. For a Texas defense built around his disruption off the edge, the concern is obvious: even a brief loss of Simmons changes how opponents can attack, and the Longhorns now have to hope the issue is not something that lingers beyond one tense night. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Just Got A Lot More Concerning For Arch Manning
Floridas upset win in Gainesville only deepened the unease around Arch Manning and the Longhorns, who left with a second straight loss after a 27-24 defeat to Florida. Tramell Jones Jr. made his first career start count, throwing two touchdown passes as the Gators found enough offense to keep Texas from ever settling in, while a defense that had been a problem earlier in the season suddenly looked much sharper against one of the countrys highest-ranked teams.
For Texas, the bigger concern was not just the final score but the way the offense never found a rhythm and Mannings rough stretch continued for a fourth straight game. Floridas defense limited the Longhorns and helped finish the job with a late fumble, leaving Texas with more questions than answers as the pressure around its quarterback keeps building. [Read more 🡒]