Texas Football: Two players doubtful with injuries for opener vs. UTEP

Head Texas football coach Tom Herman could be without two freshmen that are doubtful with injuries heading into the season opener on Sep. 12.

The injury report isn’t all that bad, as it stands as of the afternoon of Sep. 7, for the Texas football program entering their season opener on Sep. 12 at home at Darrell K. Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium against the UTEP Miners out of Conference-USA. Texas is reportedly going to be missing two freshmen players in all likelihood next weekend in the season opener at home against UTEP.

Those two Longhorns that are listed as doubtful with various nagging injuries out of fall camp include freshman wide receiver Kelvontay Dixon and redshirt freshman offensive tackle Isaiah Hookfin. Most of what those two will be missing is early playing time they could be getting if the Longhorns get a big lead early over the Miners in Week 1.

The news that Dixon and Hookfin are doubtful for the season opener came in a weekly press conference on Sep. 7 with head coach Tom Herman. The injuries aren’t known for those two as of yet, but there were some other injury notes from Herman in this conference with the media.

Apparently freshman offensive lineman Reese Moore is also out for good for the season opener, as he could be awaiting knee surgery this fall. Herman also noted on Monday that redshirt sophomore linebacker Ayodele Adeoye was cleared for practice heading into this week of practice.

What Texas football is missing with Moore, Hookfin, and Dixon

Out of the three players that are either doubtful or out for the season opener on Sep. 12 at home against UTEP, Hookfin was the most likely to get some early playing time. He was vying as a dark horse for a starting role at the right tackle spot with Christian Jones and Denzel Okafor. But that might have to wait another week now.

Dixon was further down the depth chart at the wide receiver position. The true freshman former four-star recruit was one of the late commits with the Longhorns 2020 signing class. Dixon might’ve been the seventh or eighth wide receiver on the depth chart heading into the season opener. It would take a lot for him to get a significant amount of early playing time this fall.

The 6-foot-7 and 305 pound former four-star recruit Moore was an interesting candidate to garner early playing time along the offensive line this fall. But him staying healthy and continuing to develop his body and skill set is more important over the long haul than getting some early playing time this fall.

All in all, it is good news if the Longhorns have all their starters healthy and ready to go for the season opener next weekend. UTEP shouldn’t be the most difficult opposition of any non-conference matchup on tap in the Big 12 for Week 1. Although UTEP did knock off the FCS Stephen F. Austin Lumberjacks by the final score of 24-14 in college football’s full opening weekend of action on Sep. 5.

At least UTEP has some game action under their belt heading into the Longhorns season opener.

Texas then opens up Big 12 play on Sep. 26 on the road in Lubbock against the Texas Tech Red Raiders. They kickoff against UTEP next weekend at 7 p.m. CT. And they are currently whopping 42-point favorites over the Miners.