Sarkisian Updates Key Longhorns Injuries Ahead of Baylor Tilt

The Longhorns had some big injuries over the last couple of weeks, though thankfully, there seems to be mostly good news.

AUSTIN - The Texas Longhorns open up Big 12 play on Saturday against the Baylor Bears in Waco, hoping to get their final season in the conference off to a good start. 

In order to do that, however, the Longhorns will need to stay healthy. 

And last week against Wyoming, they were dealt a couple of seemingly serious blows, with defensive lineman Kristopher Ross and right guard Cole Hutson both leaving the game with injuries and not returning. 

Thankfully, according to Sarkisian, both players avoided the worst-case scenario.

“The good thing is there are no season-ending injuries,” Sarkisian said. “The tough part is they are significant enough for them to miss a couple of ballgames here.”

In terms of replacing the production at both positions, the Longhorns should be in pretty good shape. 

Sophomore D.J. Campbell has been impressive at times in rotation or replacement of Hutson throughout the first three weeks. 

However, according to Sarkisian, he needs to improve his consistency. 

“There’s been some really good moments," Sarkisian said of Campbell. "And there’s been a handful of plays each game we watch with him, and there’s a level of frustration of ‘you’re better than that.'”

Meanwhile, in terms of pass rushers to replace the loss of Ross, Sarkisian was also quick to mention sophomore Justice Finkley, who has been a key member of the Texas defense so far this season. 

“Justice has been playing, now there’s just more opportunity for us. I think that he can be impactful for us, and he’s a really good first and second-down player. Hopefully, we can get a little bit more there on third down where he can impact the passer.”

Finally, Sarkisian also provided an update on freshman running back CJ Baxter, who missed all of Saturday's game with a rib issue.

For now, Baxter remains day-to-day and will be monitored.

“We’ve got to keep monitoring him throughout the week and see how he responds from day to day,” Sarkisian said.

The Longhorns and Bears will kick off at 6:30 pm CT from McLane Stadium