Texas Longhorns’ Season Suffers Massive Blow; Star Player Endures Devastating Injury

The Texas Longhorns backfield was considered a strength for the new SEC team, but the depth of that position is now in question.

Longhorns running back CJ Baxter has reportedly suffered a season-ending injury, which occurred during practice Tuesday.

Texas Longhorns had high hopes for RB CJ Baxter’s 2024 season

Baxter was supposed to be the next RB up in a recent line of elite Texas backfield members that included Atlanta Falcons star Bijan Robinson and Carolina Panthers rookie Jonathan Brooks.

Robinson took the nation by storm in 2022 and Brooks did a remarkable job of filling his shoes until he went down with a season-ending injury after 11 games.

Baxter and company filled in for Brooks after his season-ending injury, seemingly solidifying the fact that the Longhorns backfield was set for years to come. Baxter finished the 2023 season with nearly 700 yards on the ground and five rushing touchdowns despite a limited role that rarely saw him get double-digit carries.

The only time Baxter got 20 carries in a game was the only time he eclipsed the 100-yard mark out of the backfield. He averaged 7.1 yards per carry when the Longhorns took on the Washington Huskies in the College Football Playoff.

It’s next man up for the Texas Longhorns

In a backfield that was likely already planning on featuring multiple backs, junior RB Jaydon Blue will be forced to step up and take on a bigger role in the absence of Baxter.

Blue was two yards away from accruing 400 yards rushing during the 2023 season which saw him get to the endzone as a rusher three times. Blue is a genuine home-run threat that can still give Texas a chance to make a run at a national championship.

Jaydon Blue showed he’s a legit home-run threat after Texas lost Jonathon Brooks last year. Big season ahead for him with CJ Baxter out for the season. pic.twitter.com/XkCGXsf1ol

— Max Olson (@max_olson) August 7, 2024

Blue and fellow RB Quintrevion Wisner, who managed to accumulate 73 rushing yards and a touchdown in 2023, will both have to step up if the Longhorns want to have success during their first year as a member of the SEC.

Fans took to social media to wish Texas Longhorns RB CJ Baxter well

The loss of Baxter is a huge hit to the Texas offense, but star quarterback Quinn Ewers said in an article from Clutch Points that he is still hopeful that the Longhorns can make a run.

“I think that shows what we are capable of as a whole. I think the biggest thing for us is, yeah, we’re capable of playing games the way we played that one. Now we have to really do it on a much more consistent level. Because week in, week out, we’re playing a tough opponent. I definitely can agree with that. Going into Alabama and playing one of the hardest stadiums to play in, and, you know, against one of the greatest coaches ever is definitely not easy to go in there and accomplish what we accomplished,” Ewers said.

Fans in and around the college football world understand how much this injury could affect the Longhorns as their season takes shape. Those fans took to social media to give Baxter and the rest of the Longhorns squad well wishes.

huge hit for a cfb playoff contender should be fine but Baxter was expected to be a huge playmaker in Texas offense this year.

— 🙇🏻‍♂️ (@prospectgrader) August 7, 2024

That’s brutal. Praying for a speedy recovery

— Heather Gagnon (@HeatwaveDesigns) August 7, 2024

worst part about fall camp

— jayhawk lasso (@jaylassoku) August 7, 2024

Man, I hate this part of CFB season. Kids getting hurt before they even have a shot to play.

— JKSlay (@JKSlay) August 7, 2024

Well only good thing about this is arch will have a good back when it’s his time next year

— j (@ENOTCITY) August 7, 2024

Get More NFL and College Football Content

For more news and trends in the college football world, click here or follow me on Twitter @KusleikaAndrew.