INJURY UPDATE: Injured Prominent Starter And 2 High Rated Running Backs Heading Into Colorado State
Texas football and head coach Steve Sarkisian have had a few injury difficulties during preseason camp in recent weeks. Texas lost a starting running back and another scholarship athlete at the position during autumn practice for the entire 2024 season.
Injury updates for Texas football entering Week 1 vs. Colorado State
Aside from the running back position, Texas managed to stay relatively healthy across other key areas on both sides of the ball during preseason camp.
In the latter half of camp, the Longhorns eased up on full-contact team drills and scrimmages, especially during the second of their two fall scrimmages in August. This approach helped them maintain depth and health on their two-deep roster, which is crucial as they prepare for the challenges of their first season in the SEC—the most competitive conference in college football.
The depth and talent across the roster will be particularly vital, given the potential for a longer season with the College Football Playoff expanding to 12 teams. As Texas enters Week 1 of the 2024 regular season with their opener against Colorado State at DKR on Aug. 31, the injury report is well-documented, offering a clearer picture of the team’s health heading into the season. Here’s a look at three key injury updates for the Longhorns as they approach the opener.
Christian Clark, RB
True freshman running back Christian Clark suffered a season-ending torn Achilles injury during fall practice a couple of weeks ago, becoming the second scholarship running back the Longhorns lost for the 2024 season during camp.
To compensate for the reduced depth at running back, Texas explored several options during fall practice. Head coach Steve Sarkisian and running backs coach Tashard Choice experimented by moving players from other positions, giving senior tight end Juan Davis and redshirt freshman wide receiver Ryan Niblett reps at running back.
In addition to these internal adjustments, Texas also tapped into the transfer portal just before the start of the season, acquiring senior running back Velton Gardner, who previously played for the Kansas Jayhawks and SMU Mustangs. With Gardner’s addition, the Longhorns now have four healthy scholarship running backs heading into the season.
Davis could play a specific role in live-game situations, particularly in short-yardage and goal-line scenarios as a wildcat back. Meanwhile, Gardner brings valuable experience from his time in power conferences, providing solid depth as a back who isn’t afraid to run between the tackles in Sarkisian’s ground-oriented offense.
CJ Baxter Jr., RB
The most significant injury the Longhorns faced during fall practice was the season-ending knee injury to sophomore running back CJ Baxter Jr. According to Anwar Richardson of Orangebloods, Baxter recently “underwent successful surgery” in Dallas. Fortunately, he did not tear his PCL as initially feared, and he is expected to be ready for the start of the 2025 season.
Baxter had been competing with junior Jaydon Blue for the first-team reps at running back during preseason camp. With Baxter sidelined, Blue will step into the role of starting running back as the Longhorns prepare to enter the SEC this fall.
Last season, Blue and Baxter shared backfield duties after starting running back Jonathon Brooks suffered a season-ending knee injury against TCU in November.
Despite the injuries, head coach Steve Sarkisian indicated during his press conference on Aug. 26 that he doesn’t plan to alter the offensive game plan for the ground attack as they head into Week 1 against Colorado State this Saturday.
Jake Majors, C*
The main injury concern for the Longhorns along the offensive line during the second half of fall practice involved senior center Jake Majors, who dealt with a lower-body issue. Majors was seen in a walking boot during Texas’s second fall scrimmage a couple of weekends ago, but it was primarily a precautionary measure.
Initially, when the injury was reported, it was expected that Majors would be ready to start in Week 1 under offensive line coach Kyle Flood. So far, there has been no indication that he won’t be ready for the season opener this weekend at DKR. Notably, Majors participated fully in fall practice last week.
Returning for his fourth year as Texas’s starting center since 2021, Majors serves as the anchor of an offensive line that brings back four out of five starters. This unit is anticipated to be one of the best in the SEC, and possibly across all Power Four conferences, for the 2024 season.