Texas Longhorns' Michael Taaffe Returns After Injury Scare

Texas Longhorns safety Michael Taaffe had to exit the field in the second half against the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Zach Dimmitt | Jan 1, 2025

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) in action during the game between the Texas Longhorns and the Clemson Tigers in the CFP National Playoff First Round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images / Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

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The Texas Longhorns had some injury issues pile up at the start of the second half of Wednesday's College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup against the Arizona State Sun Devils at the Peach Bowl.

After star offensive tackle Kelvin Banks Jr. walked off gingerly after being down on the turf, Texas safety Michael Taaffe went down as well on the next posssesion. He was on the receiving end of a big hit from Arizona State running back Cam Skattebo and laid on the turf for about a minute while talking to trainers. It's unclear what injury Taaffe was dealing with, but fortunately for the Longhorns, he was back on the field on the next defensive possession.

They can't be serious with this description of Michael Taaffe who is...

*checks notes*

...an All-American pic.twitter.com/3YH1ydH0jR
— Coach Dan Casey (@CoachDanCasey) January 1, 2025

Despite his brief departure, the Longhorns got the fourth-down stop on the goal line later in the drive but the offense committed a safety on the next play, allowing ASU to cut the lead to 17-5. Texas cornerback Malik Muhammad then picked up his own ailment on the ensuing possession.

Dec 21, 2024; Austin, Texas, USA; Texas Longhorns defensive back Michael Taaffe (16) against the Clemson Tigers during the CFP National playoff first round at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Headed into the Peach Bowl, Taaffe had tallied 63 total tackles (32 solo), two sacks, one forced fumble, two pass breakups and two interceptions.

Taaffe has emerged as one of the leader of Pete Kwiatkowski's defense this season. He praised his defensive coordinator ahead of the Peach Bowl.

"PK, the type of guy he is, is he's so calm to where he can get on our tails if we're not doing what we need to do, but if things are freaking out, if they just completed a 50-yard bomb and it's a two-minute situation and we call a timeout and everybody's freaking out, 'Oh no, are they going to score and beat us,' PK is the one that's not freaking out," Taaffe said. "He's the one that's calming everybody down. He's the leader that we need. He's saying 'Alright, here we go, we're going to go [do] this next call, everybody just calm down and do your job, execute, let's get off the field, let's win this game.' He shows up in big games and calls the right calls and puts us in a great spot."