Texas will be without four players for Saturday’s game at Missouri, according to the Southeastern Conference’s initial availability report released Wednesday night. Several other key players are still in doubt.
Running back Hollywood Smothers, left tackle Trevor Goosby, tight end Nick Townsend and edge rusher Richard Wesley are listed as out.
Goosby is out for the season. The All-American tore the patellar tendon in his left knee in the first quarter of Texas’ 34-27 win over Ole Miss and has had surgery. Senior Andre Cojoe has filled in at left tackle. Smothers was hurt again in last Saturday’s win over Mississippi State and did not finish the game. He has shoulder and knee injuries that reports say could keep him out for the rest of the regular season. Wesley has been sidelined by a high ankle sprain.
Five Longhorns are listed as questionable. Edge rusher Colin Simmons has missed the last two games with a high ankle sprain and has not played since Oct. 17. Starting wide receivers Ryan Wingo and Cam Coleman both left the Mississippi State game with shoulder injuries. Coleman wore a sling on the sideline afterward, and Wingo was reported to need more testing. Cornerback Kade Phillips is dealing with a reported groin injury. Defensive back Graceson Littleton has a knee injury, and early reports said it could be serious.
Coach Steve Sarkisian did not give specifics on any of the injuries this week. He said Texas will be “undermanned” Saturday.
Missouri ruled out the same three players it has listed for weeks. Running back Malae Fonoti is out for the season with a reported ACL injury from the opener. Offensive lineman Josh Atkins hurt his knee and leg in the spring and later had a setback, and coach Eli Drinkwitz does not expect him back this year. Tight end Gavin Hoffman is recovering from hand surgery. The Tigers listed no one as questionable.
Teams will update their reports Thursday, Friday and 90 minutes before kickoff.
Texas and Missouri kick off at 11 a.m. CT Saturday, Nov. 7, at Columbia, Missouri. ESPN will televise the game.
