'Nothing Structural' for Longhorns DB Ryan Watts After Injury

Longhorns star defensive back Ryan Watts was forced to leave the game against Iowa State with an injury, but it was good news.

AUSTIN - The Texas Longhorns suffered a big loss to their defense in the first half against the Iowa State Cyclones on Saturday. 

With 13 minutes left in the second quarter, first-year transfer defensive back Ryan Watts was forced to leave the game with a lower-body injury, and immediately went to the medical tent for evaluation. 

Watts was able to walk off the field under his own power but did so gingerly.

Watts was then escorted back to the locker room for further testing, and he did not return to the game.

Before leaving the game, Watts was leading the team in tackles by a wide margin, with seven total stops. 

In place of Watts, true freshman Terrance Brooks has entered the game. 

At the time of the injury, the Longhorns also trailed 7-0, with the Cyclones driving and attempting to go up by two scores. 

The Longhorns would eventually gut out the win without Watts, 24-21.

Following the game, Longhorns coach Steve Sarkisian gave an update on Watts, giving good news for the transfer. 

"All three guys that went down today, they were all stinger-related," Sarkisian said. "Watts's tests all came back negative. He's day to day." 

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You can follow Matt Galatzan on Twitter @MattGalatzan

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