Texas Football: 4 key injured Longhorns players heading into UH game

Jalen Catalon, S

Another one of the significant injuries the Longhorns suffered in the loss to Oklahoma in Red River on Oct. 7 was senior safety Jalen Catalon. The former Arkansas transfer suffered a lower-body injury after putting a hit on the Oklahoma ball carrier in the first half of that game.

Catalon did not return to the game after suffering the leg injury in the first half against the Sooners. He only played eight defensive snaps before leaving the game due to injury.

The good news regarding Catalon’s injury is that he reportedly “should be good to go for Houston” this weekend. If Texas gets Catalon and Watts back this weekend against Houston, that will be a huge boost for the secondary.

In Catalon’s absence, true freshman Derek Williams Jr. took most of the reps against the Sooners at boundary safety. Williams did well considering the circumstances in his nearly 50 defensive snaps against Oklahoma. He registered four combined tackles and two defensive stops. Williams also didn’t allow any catches on two targets in coverage against the Sooners.

Catalon’s injury history since the start of his collegiate career at Arkansas a few years ago was cause for concern for his health heading into this season. But this was the first significant injury he’s dealt with this season with the Longhorns. And it sounds like it won’t be anything that impacts him over the long term.