Which important Texas players could rest and recover from injuries during the bye week ahead of the mid-October Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma next weekend?
Texas football and the Oklahoma Sooners both have a bye week this week to rest and recover ahead of the Red River Rivalry matchup in Dallas on October 12. This is an excellent opportunity for Texas to get healthy at several important position groups who have been banged up on both sides of the ball after the first month of the season and are entering a critical stretch of games in mid-to-late October.
Bye week allowing Texas football to recover physically before Red River next week
Head coach Steve Sarkisian and the Longhorns will also use the bye week to make necessary adjustments and address issues on both sides of the ball following the SEC opener last Saturday. Texas struggled to get going in the first half of its SEC opener at home against the Mississippi State Bulldogs last weekend.
The bye week came at an ideal time for the Longhorns, as it allowed them to address certain issues that arose early in the game against Mississippi State on September 28 and to get key players well. It’s even more significant because the bye week allows Sarkisian and the Longhorns an extra week to prepare for Red River versus OU.
Here are three crucial injury reports for the Longhorns during the bye week and before the Red River game against Oklahoma next weekend.
Derek Williams Jr.
Derek Williams Jr., the Longhorns’ sophomore safety, has missed the last two games with a hamstring injury, according to 247Sports. Texas’s safety corps has been hampered by injuries early in the 2024 season, with key players such as Williams, sophomore Jelani McDonald, and freshman Xavier Filsaime missing multiple games apiece.
Williams has started one game and appeared in three for the Longhorns this season as a safety. His first start came against the No. 10 Michigan Wolverines in a dramatic double-digit road win in Ann Arbor in Week 2, when he took a season-high 40 defensive snaps and made his first career interception.
As we approach mid-October, there has been no definitive information on Williams’ potential return to the defensive secondary lineup following his bye week. If Williams returns to the starting for Red River versus OU on October 12 in Dallas, it will be his first live game action for the Longhorns’ secondary since the Week 3 victory over the UTSA Roadrunners.
Jerrick Gibson, RB
Jerrick Gibson, true freshman running back, has been dealing with a chronic lower-body injury since late in the season opener at home against the Colorado State Rams on August 31, 2018.
Texas’ whole running back group has suffered with a slew of injuries this fall, limiting backfield depth since camp began in August. The good news is that Texas running backs coach Tashard Choice and Sarkisian have devised extremely effective strategies to manage the depth problem in the backfield in the aftermath of all these RB injuries after the season’s first month.
Jerrick Gibson has shown impressive strength and consistency in the Longhorns’ running game, particularly in key short-yardage and goal-line situations. Before the Mississippi State game, he stood out as Texas’ most reliable back for “money-down” runs, where his ability to push through tackles and gain extra yards after contact has been crucial. His physical running style has allowed the Longhorns to convert on important downs, helping to keep the offense moving and contributing to Texas’ success in tight situations.
In the second half of their SEC opener against Mississippi State, Texas relied heavily on their ground game to secure the victory after a sluggish start. The Longhorns racked up nearly 200 rushing yards in the second half alone, with their running backs stepping up to seal the double-digit win. Sarkisian has managed the backfield workload well, even with Gibson’s limited reps, and Texas has found ways to maintain a productive ground game.
This effectiveness in the running game will be vital for the Longhorns moving forward, especially as they prepare for the Red River Rivalry against Oklahoma, where sustaining drives and controlling the tempo could be key factors in the matchup.
Jerrick Gibson was limited in the second half of Texas’ win over Mississippi State as part of a strategy to manage his workload and avoid aggravating any injury before the Longhorns’ bye week. Given how important he has been to the team’s success in short-yardage situations, the coaching staff took precautions to ensure Gibson would be fully ready for the pivotal Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma on Oct. 12.
With the bye week providing a valuable opportunity for rest and recovery, Gibson is expected to be back at full strength for Texas, where his role in the ground game could prove vital against the Sooners. His ability to gain tough yards and keep drives alive will be crucial as Texas looks to maintain its momentum heading into this high-stakes matchup.
Quinn Ewers, QB
The biggest injury concern for Texas coming out of the bye week is the health of redshirt junior quarterback Quinn Ewers. Ewers, who missed the SEC opener against Mississippi State, was reportedly at “70 percent” health last weekend. Though he could have started, the Longhorns opted to give him more time to recover with a long-term perspective in mind, especially with the Red River Rivalry game against Oklahoma approaching.
Reports from Texas’ practices during the bye week suggest that Ewers is progressing well, taking more first-team reps and showing positive signs in his recovery. Head coach Steve Sarkisian has indicated that they will continue to monitor Ewers closely, ensuring he is fully ready before making a final decision on his availability for the game against Oklahoma. Sarkisian emphasized that all necessary steps will be taken to ensure Ewers is cleared and checks all boxes for a potential start.
Ewers’ return could be crucial for Texas as they prepare for one of the most significant matchups of their season against their biggest rival.
“Throughout the week, I’m really trying to assess the things that I think he’s most comfortable with. Various injuries along the way, different types of injury. What does it look like he’s most comfortable with? If he’s going to play, I’ve already listed out 10, 15, 20 things I think he feels really good about.”
Quinn Ewers has been dealing with an abdominal strain that caused him to miss Texas’ last two games, including the Longhorns’ SEC opener against Mississippi State. The injury occurred during the first half of Texas’ Week 3 win over UTSA. In his absence, redshirt freshman quarterback Arch Manning stepped up, starting in back-to-back wins against UL-Monroe and Mississippi State, which also marked Texas’ first-ever SEC victory.
If Ewers returns from his injury and starts against Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry, it would be a familiar situation. Two years ago, Ewers also returned from an injury to start against the Sooners, leading Texas to a dominant 49-0 victory. His experience in such a high-pressure game could be a key factor for Texas as they prepare for their annual showdown with Oklahoma.
Sarkisian has been cautious with Ewers’ recovery, ensuring he is fully ready before the decision to start him. As of now, reports from practice indicate that Ewers is making progress, taking more first-team reps during the bye week .
