Texas’ defense kept its grip on UTSA, but Colin Simmons was nowhere near the center of it by the second half.
The star edge rusher, who had already logged a tackle in the first quarter, was later seen on the sideline in street clothes and a walking boot. Texas beat reporter Evan Vieth first noted that Simmons was on the bench “with a hat and no jersey on,” and David Eckert later reported that Simmons had “a boot on his right foot.”
Colin Simmons has a boot on his right foot on the sideline.
- David Eckert (@davideckert98) September 20, 2026
At halftime, Steve Sarkisian didn’t offer any update on Simmons’ condition, and the SEC Network didn’t add anything as the second half played out.
Before leaving the game, Simmons made his presence felt in a big way. He dropped UTSA quarterback Owen McCown for a sack on third down, a play that helped keep the Roadrunners out of the end zone before halftime.
The timing matters because Texas is heading toward its first SEC game of the year, a matchup with Tennessee next week, and Simmons has been a central piece of the Longhorns’ defense. He’s been the kind of steady force Texas has leaned on while the roster has gone through plenty of turnover over the last two seasons.
Through the UTSA game, Simmons had posted three total tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery. He also brought steady pressure last week and was part of the push behind Texas’ 21-point comeback win.
If Simmons can’t go against Tennessee, that would be a major concern for a Texas defense that has looked strong but would be missing one of its most important pieces.
That said, this is also the kind of situation Sarkisian spent the offseason preparing for. Texas added depth across the roster, including linebacker Rasheem Biles, who transferred in from Pitt this year, and the defense has other edge options ready to take on more.
Zina Umeozulu has been one of those bright spots, piling up seven total tackles through the first two games, while Colton Vasek has also started the year well and helped ease some of the load off Simmons.
No. 1 Texas and No. 15 Tennessee are set for an 11 a.m. kickoff on Saturday, Sept. 26, in Knoxville, Tennessee.
In Other News...
Texas Heads Into SEC Play With One Big Offensive Concern
Texas wrapped up its non-conference slate with a 30-6 win over UTSA, and the bigger takeaway for Steve Sarkisians group was that it came out healthy ahead of SEC play. The defense did what a No. 1 team should do, holding the Roadrunners to 143 total yards, while the offense found enough bursts to keep control of the game and move on to the next challenge.
The passing game, though, still looked like the area most likely to test Texas once the league schedule begins. Arch Manning had a productive line, but the rhythm never really settled in, even as the Longhorns got a boost from freshman Derrick Cooper Jr. in the backfield, where he gave Texas another meaningful option alongside the more established pieces. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Has One Clear Priority Against UTSA Before SEC Play
The Longhorns head into their matchup with UTSA with momentum and a chance to clean up a few more details before the schedule gets a lot less forgiving. Texas has looked the part through its first two games, and oddsmakers are expecting a comfortable night against a Roadrunners team that has struggled to hold up defensively. With conference play looming, this is the kind of game the Longhorns want to control early and use to sharpen themselves for what comes next.
A win would push Texas to 3-0 and give the program another chance to build rhythm before SEC competition arrives. The bigger question is not whether the Longhorns should win, but how complete they can look while doing it, especially against an opponent whose defensive issues have already been exposed. For Texas, the priority is clear: handle business, stay healthy, and leave no doubt before the real tests begin. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Gets A Ryan Wingo Scare At The Worst Time
Texas had a brief scare with Ryan Wingo on Saturday night against UTSA, as the sophomore receiver left in the first half because of an injury before returning to the field to open the third quarter. It was an unsettling moment for a Longhorns offense that has leaned on him early, with Wingo already off to a strong start this season with 11 catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns through the first two games.
The timing mattered because Texas was already managing a few moving parts elsewhere on the roster, with several players inactive for the game even as running back Derrek Cooper and linebacker Markus Boswell made their way back into action. For a team trying to stay healthy and build rhythm early in the season, any issue with Wingo will draw immediate attention, especially after how central he has been to the passing game so far. [Read more 🡒]