Injury update post-Alabama, pre-Wyoming

Sep. 9, 2023; Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Texas Longhorns running back CJ Baxter (4) runs the ball during the game against Alabama at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday, Sep. 9, 2023 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Mandatory Credit: Aaron E. Martinez-USA TODAY NETWORK

True freshman running back CJ Baxter started in both of the Longhorns' first two games this season.  In the team's win over the Rice Owls Baxter rushed five times for 41 yards with his longest carry going for 32 yards.  He suffered a minor rib injury in the Longhorns' 37-10 win but was back at practice the following Monday. 

Prior to the team's departure to Tuscaloosa, on Thursday, head coach Steve Sarkisian met with the media via ZOOM and said Baxter "looked great" at practice that week.

Against the Crimson Tide, he carried the ball 11 times for 36 yards before sustaining an injury on the Longhorns' final drive of the game.  He had to be helped off the field and was replaced by sophmore Jonathan Brooks who helped Texas run the clock out on the final drive.

At Monday's press conference Sarkisian gave an update on Baxter's health.  Sark said the injury was "not as serious as originally thought."  He [Baxter] was at practice on Monday but was limited in what he did.

Linebacker Morice Blackwell Jr. missed the Rice and Alabama games as he was rehabbing a torn MCL.  It is unlcear if he will be activated for this weekend's game against Wyoming, but Sarkisian did say that he was day-to-day and was "almost running at full-speed."