Source: Texas WR Isaiah Bond not expected to play vs. Vanderbilt with an eye on Florida for healthy return
Texas’ leading receiver was listed as doubtful on Thursday’s SEC availability report
Texas receiver Isaiah Bond is not expected to play this Saturday against Vanderbilt, according to a source familiar with UT’s plans.
Bond was listed as questionable on Wednesday’s SEC availability report and then downgraded to doubtful on Thursday. During Thursday’s session with reporters, Texas coach Steve Sarkisian was coy about how the receiver is being handled.
Asked if there was a fine line in trying to see whether Bond could play against Vanderbilt or have him rest going into a bye week to get ready for Florida on Nov. 9, Sarkisian said, “You answered the question for me. There's a fine line in trying to figure that out.”
Bond wouldn’t be the only player the Horns are sitting this weekend to get ready for the regular season’s stretch run.
WATCH AND SUBSCRIBE: Follow A to Z Sports’ Texas Longhorns channel on YouTube.
Safety Andrew Mukuba was listed as doubtful on Wednesday’s availability report, but all signs indicate he will not play. Mukuba was downgraded to doubtful on Thursday, too. Sarkisian said Monday the defense could have cornerback Jahdae Barron shift over to play some safety if needed.
Mukuba played his best game as a Longhorn against the Bulldogs. The Austin LBJ product had five tackles, one interception and one quarterback pressure.
Also on Wednesday’s report, running back Quintrevion Wisner was listed as probable.
The Horns are using their second bye this season in strategic fashion, much like the first.
Quarterback Quinn Ewers was held out of the Mississippi State game in late September to have another week of rest before a bye week.
Ewers got fully healthy with the extra time off and then started the last two games against Oklahoma and Georgia.
Ewers said after the Georgia loss that he did not feel his abdominal strain was causing any sort of problems throwing.
“That's the reality of we're in week eight of a season, and everybody's dealing with stuff,” Sarkisian said. “I think he’s really dialed into the game plan. I think he’s playing with a lot of confidence. And again, I’m looking forward to him to get another opportunity as a competitor to go back out and compete at a high level.”
