Texas running back CJ Baxter has been ruled out for the season following a knee injury sustained during practice on Tuesday. Baxter suffered tears to his lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), which will require surgery. The recovery period for such an injury is estimated to be six to nine months, effectively sidelining him for the remainder of the year.
Baxter’s absence is a significant blow to the Longhorns, as he had a standout season in 2023, rushing for 659 yards and scoring 5 touchdowns. His impressive performance in 2023 earned him a spot on the Doak Walker Award watchlist for 2024, highlighting him as one of the nation’s top running backs.
With Baxter out, Jayden Blue is expected to step into the starting running back role. Blue, who has shown flashes of his potential when he has been on the field, will now have the opportunity to showcase his abilities as the primary back. Trey Wisner is anticipated to see an increased workload and contribute to the backfield rotation, providing depth and versatility for the Longhorns’ offense.
The coaching staff and team will need to adjust their strategies and rely on the depth of their running back corps to fill the void left by Baxter’s injury. As they prepare for the upcoming season, all eyes will be on how Blue and Wisner step up in their expanded roles.
