Texas is still likely to be without Colin Simmons when it lines up against Mississippi State, and the latest availability update made that reality look even firmer.
Simmons was initially tagged as questionable, but the Texas star edge rusher got bumped to doubtful for the Week 9 SEC matchup. That leaves the Longhorns thin again off the edge, with Simmons and fellow edge Richard Wesley both expected to miss a second straight game after sitting out against Ole Miss with ankle sprains.
Texas did survive last week without either defender in the rotation, and the defense looked strong in the win over then-No. 7 Ole Miss under coordinator Will Muschamp. The matchup ahead also gives the Longhorns a softer landing spot, with Mississippi State presenting a lesser offense than the Rebels.
The Bulldogs will also be missing starting quarterback "Super" Kamario Taylor, which shifts Texas’ pass-rush attention to backup Parker Puckett. He has played in only four college games and has thrown fewer touchdown passes than interceptions.
There was better news elsewhere on the Texas injury front. Running back Hollywood Smothers and wide receiver Cam Coleman were removed from the report entirely, a sign both should be ready to go against Mississippi State.
Smothers had already missed two games this season, including Texas’ wins over Tennessee and Ole Miss, but he is expected back this weekend.
Coleman, who has frustrated some Texas fans after dropping what looked like a couple of sure touchdown passes, left last week’s game against Ole Miss after landing hard on his shoulder. After one day on the injury list, he was off the Horns’ second availability report for Week 9.
Kaliq Lockett could also be part of the receiving mix. He has yet to make his first real impact for Texas and has spent plenty of time on the injury report this season, but he was listed as probable Thursday night, putting him in line to be another option for Arch Manning.
The most serious injury news for Texas remains at left tackle. Trevor Goosby, who suffered a torn patellar tendon in his left knee against Ole Miss, has already undergone successful reparative surgery and will miss the rest of the season.
Mississippi State’s report did not change over the 24-hour span.
OUT: Kamario Taylor (QB), Jalen Smith (LB), Ayden Williams (WR), Trevion Williams (DL), Diesel Moye (DL)
QUESTIONABLE: Isaac Smith (S), DJ Chester (OL)
Taylor’s absence is the biggest headline there, but the Bulldogs’ offense will also be down veteran receiver Ayden Williams and may also be without offensive lineman DJ Chester. On the other side of the ball, Mississippi State is set to be without linebacker Jalen Smith and defensive linemen Trevion Williams and Diesel Moye, while safety Isaac Smith remains questionable.
In Other News...
Texas Pass Rush Just Took Another Hit Before Mississippi State
Texas edge rotation took another hit heading into its meeting with Mississippi State, with Colin Simmons downgraded to doubtful because of an ankle sprain and Richard Wesley ruled out. The Longhorns have leaned on that group to keep the front seven disruptive, so the timing is less than ideal as they try to stack another clean defensive performance.
There is some better news elsewhere on the availability front, with running back Hollywood Smothers and wide receiver Cam Coleman both off the injury list and expected to play. Mississippi State, meanwhile, is dealing with its own absences, including starting quarterback Kamario Taylor and wide receiver Ayden Williams, which adds another layer to a game that already looked like it could hinge on which sidelined players matter most. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Just Found An Offensive Spark Now Comes The Hard Part
Texas found a much-needed jolt on offense against Ole Miss, and the biggest reason was a running game that looked more alive even without some key backs available. Raleek Brown and Michael Terry III helped carry the load, giving the Longhorns balance and a couple of finishing touches on the ground that had been missing as the season has worn on.
Now comes the tougher test: proving it was more than a one-game lift. Mississippi State brings a run defense that has been difficult to move, so Texas will have to show it can keep generating push and production when the box tightens and the margin for error shrinks. [Read more 🡒]
Texas Opens With One Big Question About Sean Miller's New Team
The Longhorns get their first real answer tonight when Sean Millers revamped roster opens the regular season against Chicago State, a team that arrives with some continuity of its own. Texas is coming off a Sweet 16 run and spent the offseason reshaping the roster around a strong recruiting class, including five-star Marcus Spears Jr., while also bringing back returning starter Matas Vokietaitis and adding a mix of transfers and freshmen that should define the early part of the season.
For Texas, the opener is less about the opponent than about how quickly all those new pieces start to fit together in a live setting. Chicago State, under Landon Bussie, brings back Malek Robinson and adds Foday Sheriff, so the Cougars wont be just a formality in the seasons first game. Still, the bigger storyline for the Longhorns is whether Millers new group looks ready to turn talent into something sharper and more organized right away. [Read more 🡒]