The Texas Longhorns injury report reveals a few intriguing possibilities to be back this weekend versus Florida
Is it finally time to get the Texas band back together?
The SEC Student-Athlete Availability Report for the game between No. 9 Texas (3-1) and Florida (1-3, 0-1) was released Wednesday as the Longhorns work to get back to full strength.
Running back CJ Baxter was listed as doubtful but wide receiver Emmett Mosley V, running back Tre Wisner, and defensive back Kobe Black are listed as questionable. Furthermore, defensive backs Malik Muhammad and Xavier Filsaime are categorized as probable.
Baxter is still working back from a hamstring injury suffered against San Jose State, Mosley has yet to make his Texas debut, and Wisner has not suited up since the opener against Ohio State. But, this weekend could be the time for the Stanford transfer’s first appearance. And if it is, he is potentially the missing piece to truly unlock the Texas passing game.
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The good news is no one on the Texas roster was listed as OUT.
This was not the case for the Florida Gators. running backs Treyaun Webb and Ja’Kobi Jackson, EDGE LJ McCray, defensive backs Aaron Gates and Dijon Johnson, and defensive lineman Caleb Banks were all listed as OUT.
The Gators defense has been one of the lone bright spots for Billy Napier this season. The front seven is nasty and Florida tackles well. If Texas is going to want to get a win in its SEC opener, Steve Sarkisian’s offense will need to stay ahead of the chains in early downs and convert on money down.
A full compliment of playmakers is certainly something Arch Manning would like to have. If Wisner is back in the backfield with him, the run game is immediately better. And if Mosley is added to the wide receiver room, watch out.
The Texas defense is as big a key as any Saturday.
The front has to be active early and get to DJ Lagway. It’s still unclear if the young quarterback is 100 percent healthy. You have to think Pete Kwiatkowski is aware and wants to really get in his grill early and often. The defensive front made up of Cole Brevard, Hero Kanu, Maraad Watson, Alex January, and Ethan Burke has to be extremely active.
Oh, and Colin Simmons needs to be a dude. Get after him, sacks, tackles for loss, hands up and interrupt passing lanes. If he can be a major factor along with Anthony Hill Jr., and the rest of the linebackers, the back end of the Texas defense should be able to sit back in coverage and force Lagway to march down the field.
This weekend is a pivotal moment in the season for the Texas Longhorns. If you want to get back on track and have a chance at getting to Atlanta and the CFP, a win in the Swamp Saturday is just the start you want.
