The first injury report dropped for the undefeated Texas Longhorns’ massive showdown this weekend against No. 14 Tennessee, and holy smokes, it came with an absolute bombshell. Their starting running back, the electric Hollywood Smothers, has been surprisingly tagged as questionable for the game. We’re talking a lower body injury for a star player, and for a team with a huge target on its back, this is massive. This news could totally flip the script on their perfect season.
The Heartbeat of the Offense Just Got a Jolt
Smothers, who just joined Steve Sarkisian’s program this season after tearing it up for two years at N.C. State, wasted absolutely no time making his mark. We’re only three games deep, and he’s been a straight-up game-wrecker. Picture this: 198 rushing yards on 41 carries, plus another 54 receiving yards. That’s some serious dual-threat action, right? And get this, he’s already racked up three total touchdowns. But if you want to talk about *impact*, remember that epic comeback win against then-No. 1 Ohio State? Yeah, Smothers delivered the game-winning leap, the kind of play that becomes legendary. Losing that kind of dynamic talent, that ability to flip a game on its head, for a pivotal top-15 matchup when you’re the undisputed No. 1? That’s not just a setback, that’s a straight-up crisis. His availability? It all rides on how that lower body injury shapes up through the week, according to On3. Every Longhorn fan is probably glued to their phones for updates.
Next Man Up… But Who?
So, if Smothers can’t go, who’s stepping into those massive shoes? The pressure is squarely on Raleek Brown, who’s got the second-most carries on the team with 31. He’s delivered 129 receiving yards and two touchdowns himself, which is solid, no doubt. But let’s be real, filling Smothers’ shoes against a ranked opponent? That’s a huge ask. Beyond Brown, the depth chart gets even thinner. We’re talking about freshmen Derrek Cooper and Michael Terry III, who are the *only* other running backs on the roster with double-digit carries. This ain’t no cakewalk. Sarkisian is going to need these young guns to mature quicker than you can say “Hook ‘Em Horns” if they want to keep that undefeated streak going.
A Full-Blown Injury Nightmare
And just when you thought the Smothers news was bad enough, the rest of the injury report for this weekend is a brutal read. Texas is already without defensive lineman Justus Terry, defensive back Xavier Filsaime, and offensive lineman Jordan Coleman,all ruled *out*. Plus, tight end Nick Townsend is officially doubtful. It’s not just one position getting hit; it’s across the board. The No. 1 team in the nation, prepping for a ranked opponent, and they’re facing this kind of injury onslaught? That’s a recipe for disaster if they don’t handle it perfectly.
This game against No. 14 Tennessee was already huge, but now, with Hollywood Smothers questionable and a growing list of critical injuries, it’s turned into an absolute must-watch. Can Coach Sarkisian rally the troops? Can the backups rise to the occasion? The undefeated record and that No. 1 ranking are on the line. Get ready for some serious drama this weekend!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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