Texas Bowl Injury Report: Texas A&M Down Three Starters Against No. 20 Oklahoma State
HOUSTON -- Texas A&M watched dozens of players enter the transfer portal following the end of the regular season. Three more players will miss Wednesday's action in the TaxAct Texas Bowl.
Receiver Noah Thomas, offensive lineman Mark Nabou and defensive lineman Shemar Turner will not play at NRG Stadium against No. 20 Oklahoma State due to injury. All three players arrived at the stadium in street clothes for pre-game warmups.
Thomas, a consistent No. 2 receiver, had been dealing with an abdomen injury heading into the week. After a breakout three-touchdown game against New Mexico to open the season, Thomas' production cooled over the next eight contests.
Texas A&M Aggies receiver Evan Stewart and Noah Thomas celebrate a touchdown against New Mexico
© Maria Lysaker-USA TODAY Sports
He finishes the 2023 season with 29 catches for 359 yards and five touchdowns.
Turner is currently dealing with an undisclosed injury but would have likely filled the void lost by Walter Nolen and Isaiah Raikes following their departure via the transfer portal. Turner, who played in 12 games, finished with 33 tackles, six sacks and two forced fumbles.
Nabou, who mixed in reps at both guard and center, should return in 2024 as a starter at one of the guard spots. Starting center Bryce Foster is expected to return next season, and Kam Dewberry should slot in either at right or left guard.
The Aggies (7-5) will only have three receivers playing against the Cowboys' secondary: Jahdae Walker, Moose Muhammad III and Micah Tease. Starting slot receiver Ainias Smith underwent finger surgery following the regular-season finale against LSU and will serve as a coach. Evan Stewart entered the portal earlier this month following Early Signing Period.
A&M will also be without defensive linemen Fadil Diggs (Syracuse), and LT Overton (Alabama), safety Jardin Gilbert (LSU), and cornerbacks Tyreek Chappell and Deuce Harmon, who all entered the transfer portal. Linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and defensive lineman McKinley Jackson opted out of the bowl game to prepare for the NFL draft.
While new head coach Mike Elko is expected to bring a new feel to College Station, this version of A&M must contain Doak Walker Award winner Ollie Gordon II on the ground. Gordon, a unanimous All-American, led all FBS players with 1,614 rushing yards and scored 21 total touchdowns.
“He is elite. He won the Doak Walker for a reason,” interim coach Elijah Robinson said. “What is also elite is the offensive line. They are tough. They finish blocks. They do a really good job. He is a patient runner. He is getting downhill.
"They have the full package. They were just in the Big 12 Championship. That is a great conference. So we’ve got to prepare. We have a great team ahead.”
