Texas tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders left the Kansas game last weekend in the first quarter with an ankle injury. While the Longhorns went on the defeat then-undefeated Kansas 40-14, the status of the junior standout for the Longhorns’ matchup with Oklahoma remained in question.
On Monday, head coach Steve Sarkisian listed Sanders and defensive back Ryan Watts both as “day-to-day” for the Red River Rivalry in Dallas. Watts, a senior, also left the game in the first half against the Jayhawks with an injury and did not return.
On Thursday Sarkisian gave updates on both players, stating that Sanders “looked great” and is “good to go.” Watts on the other hand would be a game time decision, according to Sarkisian.
Sanders, an important part of the Texas offense, has 13 receptions on the season for a total of 278 yards (21.4 yards per catch). Last season against Oklahoma he hauled in 5 passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns in the Longhorns’ 49-0 win.
Texas hopes Watts is back in the lineup on Saturday as he brings experience and athleticism to a secondary that will have their hands full with the Sooners’ cadre of playmakers. He has 17 total tackles on the season with 14 of them being solo.
Texas and Oklahoma will kickoff at 11:00 AM at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas on Saturday. The game will be televised on ABC.